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Week 6

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This week, I gathered supplies for the painting project, and came up with a design for it. I will be meeting with two boys from the "littles" first to let them paint the mural. At first, I explained the idea behind the painting, but since the boys are only 8 and 9, I let them go outside of the lines. I felt it would be better for the boys to be able to express themselves through art, and I wasn't going to stop them from painting the sky green and red. As they were painting, the boys started talking about things that bothered them about the other boys in the house. The painting exercise was a good way for them to express themselves in a healthy way. I would like to meet with the boys more often, but they have a pretty structured schedule, from school to group. I also painted a photo frame and signs for an event, "Party for Prevention". Next week, I will be doing a painting with two boys from the "bigs". They seemed pretty excited when Toni told them...
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Week 5

This week, I met with Toni and we observed the "bigs" play basketball outside. I got familiarize myself with the boys, and a few of them introduced themselves. Toni and I talked further about the paintings, and how she was still deciding which boys she was going to choose for me to work with.
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week 4

This week, I met with Toni Olivia to discuss project implementation. I proposed my idea to do a mural with the boys. We decided it would be best to do a painting on 4x4 wood panels. We discussed supplies as well as times when it would be executed. Toni also mentioned they would need help creating a photo frame and signs for an event, "Party for Prevention" that will take place on April 14th. April is Child Abuse Awareness month, and this event is a good way for the boys to have some fun, and be involved in the community. There will also be a dog show at the event. Toni will be choosing two boys, two from the "bigs" and two from the "littles", from each house for me to meet with a do the painting project. This week, I also observed the littles' group therapy at the pool. They participated in 'hygeine Simon says' and played in the pool. There were checks for personal space while swimming.
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Week 3

This week, I am still waiting on confirmation for my background check to go through.
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Week 2

This week, I am filing out paperwork, and doing a background check with fingerprints, as well as a drug test, in order to continue with my residency. Because of the vulnerable population, this is required for all volunteers. I hope to get this process done quickly, as I am excited to become part of the SAYS community and give my time to the boys. I will also have to do some training in order to proceed.
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First Post

For the remainder of the Spring 2018 semester, I will be volunteering as the artist in residence 4 hours a week at St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS). SAYS is a nonprofit organization that provides food, shelter, care and therapeutic treatment to children. For most of the boys, this is due to trauma and neglect. The boys are cared for and given a place to stay, and they meet with a physiatrist once a month. They also participate in group activities, go to school and are given chores. I will be volunteering on Monday and Wednesdays as an art teacher/mentor to host art classes. I will be creating an artistic environment for these young boys by bringing art supplies and giving a brief lesson about the materials. On campus, there are three houses. Two houses have 8 boys each, ages 6-17. There is also a Pre-Independent Living House (PIL) that houses 10 boys, ages 14-17. The boys attend school, do group therapy, as well as other activities. There is a pool located on campus, as well as t...
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