Stephanie, one of our foster parents, recently started an art program for children at The Hill. This was an amazing way for children to develop creativity and build confidence.
“I wanted the kids to be able to build confidence in themselves by looking at the projects without a standard grade or reward system,” Stephanie said. “I just wanted to let them be themselves and let that shine through whatever they create.”
Many of the art projects that children worked on also had a deeper symbolic or emotional meaning. They created wind chimes, an affirmation painting, plastic cup flowers, and a brokenness project.
“I had them paint a small plate, hammer it, and glue it back together to show that it is still beautiful when broken,” Stephanie said.
No child was allowed to have someone else finish their project or work on another person’s project. This helped everyone take ownership of their work and experience the entire process.
“One memorable moment was watching the kids relax and seeing them create something that they knew 100% came from them and only them,” Stephanie said. “Seeing their faces and the lightbulb go off when they realized — Wow! I made that! —was amazing.”
“Watching children make creative projects is the best part of my week,” Daisy Soto, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s Volunteer Coordinator, said. “I love seeing how different everyone’s project comes out and how proud they are for making it!”
We hope that everyone had fun, gained confidence, and walked away feeling empowered to create.
“I love doing this and connecting with all of the kids,” Stephanie said.
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