Community Of Hope, Washington, DC
the alley behind Community Of Hope. Mark, the Assistant
Director, ran out to help us bring in the gear and we took it to
a perfect room for recording in the basement. A little while
later, Igor and his wife (DC graduate art students from Alaska)
arrived to teach the art workshop for the kids. We strung our
Hearts Of Fire banner and soon a boisterous crowd of kids filled
the room as they arrived from school. With Igor's expert
assistance, the kids really went to work and created some
amazing drawings. The workshop was very interactive; everyone
posted their creation on the wall and described what it meant.
(See attached photo)
After the art workshop, several teens showed up to perform some
music in our makeshift recording studio down the hall. Although
most were "mic shy", we all had a great time. As we were
hauling out the gear, one of the counselors took me aside to
explain what it meant to the kids for us to be there. Three of
the teenage girls who participated in the recording sessions had
just arrived at the shelter a week ago with their mom after
their older brother had gone to jail. According the their mom,
two of the girls had stopped talking and the other was acting up
a lot. She said that because of the girls' participation in the
recording sessions, they had totally opened up and were feeling
much better, more like they were before they came to the
shelter.
We also had a great interview with Abdul Nurdeen, the Executive
Director of the Community for Creative Non-Violence, the large
shelter that we visited on Monday. We returned to talk with him
because he was very enthusiastic about our project and the
difference he sees it makes for the people at the shelter.
Abdul is also preparing a letter of recommendation for us!
As we come to the end of our first Hearts Of Fire Tour, I am so
grateful to Dan and Amy for hosting us for four days at their
beautiful home here in Washington, D.C. Without their gracious
support, we would not have been able to make the difference we
have made here with people. Not only did Dan and Amy provide
wonderful sleeping accommodations, but they also gave us
breakfast each day and even a fabulous dinner and great
conversations! Thank you SO MUCH DAN and AMY!!!!
posted by Executive Director | 7:02 AM
2 Comments:
YES, THANK YOU Dave and Amy for making Bob and Crystal's stay so great.
The people in the background of the project - those that let us stay at their house on the way to CT, those that wished us well and supported the project with monetary and other donations, those that so generously donated their time and their supplies for Art and for the project - you have all contributed to the project in a way that made it possible for it to be delivered. So thank you!
Love Gayle
It is so great to hear about the wonderful staff at the shelters (and to see their names!) that we have been in communication with over the last four months in anticipation of this amazing opportunity for the men, women and children at the shelters. Hearts Of Fire is having a powerful impact, one that we could not even have imagined. And there is so much more to come. Bob, Crystal, Dave and others who supported this project - WOW!
Love, Lori
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