WOW! We JUST RECEIVED A DONATION OF 2 COMPUTERS AND 2 AIR CONDITIONERS. This could not have been more timely! We can now cool off from time to time. In addition, the generous individual who donated these “gently used ” appliances also spent part of 3 days
this week trying to get it all up and running.
Along with a little more help from a couple of spontaneous volunteers who happened to be at the UAR this day- they also installed the other 2 air conditioners which made all bedrooms have AC and the office have one side cool and the other side normal temp. This is so great since the other office helper or volunteer staff won’t have to freeze because the other office person is having re-acurring “private summers”.
An example of needing a Tech Person to volunteer their time-
I don’t know how to get to the “placing pics on the website” part.
I am not really certain if all files have been copied onto the newer computers, and I have some other questions. Sometimes I don’t even know the vocabulary of these changes in the computer, website, and for all the machines in the office. Thanks to this wonderfully helpful person and other helpful volunteers, we can get more efficient here in the URBAN ART RETREAT.
By the way, Paul! thank you!
Also culminating in the Differently Minded Saturday Art Studio program!!! A bunch of us adults rendez-vou and make some art in each other’s company. Melissa, Jess, Alfredo, Marvin, Dianna, Franklin, James, and Paul.
Meanwhile, Jenn is up in the art gallery putting the final touches on the materials for the beginning of this year’s youth summer program.
All of we volunteers for the summer program have met now and we are ready to go. We will host a summer program for children 4-6 and 7-12, plus youth between 13-20 yrs. old.
The younger group will meet weekly on Saturdays from 11-2 to engage in gardening, reading & WRITING, and making ART. At the end of summer there will be a fieldtrip downtown to play in water at Millenium Park, see a couple art shows at Gallery 37 and Cultural Center. Followed by ice cream at Baskins-Robbins.
The older group of youth will help to mentor the younger group on Saturdays. They will participate right along with younger youth and help them to learn.
They will have their own peer day on a second day each week. We will decide on the second day when we first meet. Those who make it to the first meeting, will get to have a say in what will be the 2nd day of the week for Teen Hangout Time (snacks, discussion, music, art making, hangout inside and outside depending on weather.) Dianna and Bunny (Quinethel) will be adult volunteers attached to this group to assist group in their learning & experience group. Older youth group will help develop a talent that younger youth have for End of Summer Show Off Theatre experience on August 28. On that date the summer program will culminate in an outdoor and indoor festival featuring an art show by participants in all of UAR programs. Art representing both youth groups, adult studio time participants on Saturdays, some art by seniors from CHA senior building, plus art by residents of Sacred Heart Home. All viewers will get to vote for their favorite art work in all age categories. The 4 with most votes will receive a prize.
Also on that day, children will be able to receive a canvas backpack and paint it with their own design. Inside the backpack will be school supplies.
There will be a “stage” drawn in chalk on the pavement and youth will take turns showing off their various talents. Whether is is singing, dancing, theatre, or some other talent, …youth will have a chance to show their talent and be applauded for their bravery and in a few cases, being voted best in their category and win a prize.
There will also be a potluck early on and ending with marshmallow roasting over the campfire. We hope that any adults who would like to volunteer to make this wonderful summer experience available to youth will step up and help make it happen in a very positive way.
We also hope that older youth 13-20 yrs. old will make a commitment to help mentor younger youth on Saturdays this summer by participating with them in the UAR program of gardening, reading & writing, and making art. We can’t wait to see the wonderful art older youth make on their 2nd day of the week just for them and their peers! We know they will create some awesome art this summer. And finally but not least- the younger youth 4-6 and 7-12 will have a great time on Saturdays this summer planting stuff and helping plants to grow, writing poems, having snacks, and making art.
Weather permitting, The youth program will be outside in our gardens and on the front sidewalk here at URBAN ART RETREAT. We begin July 3, 2010. make sure your child is registered and sign a permission slip. These programs are free for children and adults who are punctual and atend consistently