Our PPDC mentor coordinator, CasSandra Calin, has coordinated some extraordinary opportunities for mentor and mentee matches. On July 18, PPDC students and mentors teamed up with ART 180 to work on three unique projects. ART 180 Program Director, Mike Dulin, facilitated the workshop, working with the group to explore different ways to express themselves through art. In the first activity, each pair took two large pieces of paper and created a tri-fold. Each person first started with the top section of the tri-fold, drawing something of their choice, with the idea of creating a body from head to toe. Then the pairs exchanged sheets without looking at the other’s drawing and drew something new on the second panel of the tri-fold. Finally they exchanged their sheets one last time to complete the third panels. At the end, the teams unfolded their sheets to reveal the unique collaborative pieces they had created together. Some had the head of a fish and the feet of a clown, while others were more abstract. Each activity was timed to keep everyone on track and each pair presented and explained their artwork to the rest of the group. Expression through art is a powerful way to help our kids share their feelings and creativity, and an important way for caring adult mentors to build mentor relationships. Thank you to ART 180 and Mike Dulin for making this peaceful, enjoyable and imaginative workshop possible!

ART 180 creates and provides art-related programs for young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression. To learn more visit ART 180 at http://www.art180.org.