Doll Making Workshop

In our recent Doll Making Workshop, Yekseny Guerrero, MA, ATR-P explained the tradition and the history of the worry dolls. These worry dolls originated from Guatemala and Mexico, and it was a way to help anxious children and to help with their worries. Yekseny shared a story about a princess who would make her own worry dolls when she had fears. She would tell her worry dolls her fears and worries and would place them under her pillow; mindfully get those worries out of your body right before heading to sleep. After the story, each participant had post-it notes to write down their own worries.

Throughout the workshop, each person was making their own very worry doll, each being unique from another. Near the end, Yekseny started another conversation by asking questions like what colors were chosen, how tight the wrapping was during the process of making the doll, what direction the wrap was going, and the name of each doll. All these questions made everyone think more about the process of it all.

By the end of the workshop, the room was filled with laughter, scraps of fabric, and the new worry dolls that were made. This workshop was a celebration of creativity, culture, and connections - and now you have your own worry doll to hold and speak to and remind you that your worries don’t have to stay tucked inside.

Volunteer Night

During Volunteer Night, Jessica, our Community Engagement Coordinator, prepared Mental Health Kits, and with the help of our amazing volunteers! We separated and packed the stickers and fidget game consoles that will also be included in each Mental Health Kit.

As we continue to prepare our Mental Health Kits for our next Volunteer Night, we would like others to know that these kits will be distributed in September in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. Our goal is to pass out 500 kits this semester!

Calm Room Makeover at Proviso East Pt.2

The Calm Room Space is now complete - and it’s everything we hoped it would be. A space where the students of Proviso East High School can step away and return to themselves.

The Calm Room is an alternative space to the lunch room. It allows for a less-stimulating environment. A place where students can connect, work on school, or spend some time relaxing before their next period. Jasmine, Creative Director, Mylene (Interior Designer), and Yekseny (Muralist) took this into mind while designing the space. After a little but more than a year, their work has finally come to fruition.

When first arriving at the space and seeing the empty walls, we couldn’t wait to start the transformation of the Calm Room. It was exciting when the first brushstroke of color went on the wall, and from then the transformation began! Even the choice of colors was intentionally chosen to evoke tranquility. Adding the last touches of decor really pulled it all together. There are multiple corners of the room with couches, desks, and comfy floor seating. The space is embellished with plants, patterns, paintings, and even games to bring in the purpose of an emotional reset. It is truly amazing to see everything come together.

We are grateful for our contributors; your vision and partnership made this possible. Our Creative Director, Jasmine Lopez, Interior Designer, Mylene Raspado, the muralist, Yekseny Guerrero, Proviso East High School, Loyola School-Based Health Center, and Transforming Communities Initiative. Everyone’s involvement in the Calm Room - we thank you. You didn’t just help with the transformation, but you made a safe space.

Circle Keepers Hangout

During our Circle Keepers Hangout, we started off by conversing over food and catching up with one another. As we started to make our way to gather around, we lightened the mood by playing some games, a way that we can build trust and our relationships with each other. After, we added new pieces to the circle and each of us went around explaining the meaning and what that piece meant to us. As we continued to go around we also disussed how we use this outside of TFD and in our daily life.

Calm Room Makeover at Proviso East Pt.1

The Calm Room is a space where the youth can take a moment for themselves, so we wanted to transform it so the students of Proviso East can come and take this space to reflect or take a break.

During the three days we spent as a team at the school, we were able to transform the Calm Room with new and comfy furniture and new colors painted all throughout the room. Yekseny, who painted the mural, filled the entire wall with the rich, beautiful colors of browns, blues, and greens, and with the detailed designs that are painted over an entire wall. Seats were placed by it, to admire and hopefully bring inspiration to the students who see it. The room was also filled with comfy seating throughout the space, as well as a corner with sofas and games. The Calm Room consists of vibrant colors of green and yellow all over, these colors bring a sense of calmness but also uplifting feelings.

Check out the images to see the process from the beginning and how each day was filled with new and exciting things that filled up this space. Thank you to our partners, Loyola University Chicago, Niehoff School of Nursing’s School-Based Health Center, Yekseny Guerrero (mural artist), and Mylene Rapasado (interior designer) for making this dream come true!