Painting Pots with Yekseny | Art Therapy

Our Painting Pots workshop, led by Yekseny, centered on reflecting on growth while painting pots. Yekseny talked about how spring is a reminder of growth and noticing change over time. Our community members painted terracotta pots as a personal expression of where they are in life. They used the process to reflect on accomplishments and goals for continued growth this year. Each potted plant was selected, connecting intention to a physical action, and group conversations allowed everyone to share the meaning behind their designs and choices. Overall, it created a grounding space for creativity, reflection, and community connection.

Winter/Spring Youth Programming Showcase

Thank you to the Village of Maywood for putting together the Youth Programming Showcase. We had such a fun time connecting with our neighbors as we shared our programs and initiatives. We shared resources that are available, from our one-on-one talk therapy program, our financial counseling, art therapy at the firehouse and more. We also shared about volunteer opportunities coming up for our Mental Health Kit giveaway at our local schools.

It was so great to meet new neighbors and see familiar faces, and to get the chance to connect and learn more about the different types of resources Maywood has to offer for our community!

Photography at Quinn Center

As our fiscal year comes to a close this weekend, June 28th, we would love to share the photos the youth have taken at the Quinn Center. For two years now, we have partnered our youth interested in photography with the Quinn Center to take pictures at the event. This way, photographers gain more event photography experience all while working within their community. Our youth were at Quinn’s Christmas event, Turkey Giveaway, Senior celebrations, and more! Thank you to the Quinn Center for always considering our youth to capture meaningful events. Click through the gallery below for more pictures!

Group Therapy | Session 1

On Saturday morning, TFD in partnership with Yo Soy Ella, hosted group therapy. Sarah, our host and Founder of Yo Soy Ella, discussed what worth means to our participants. Sarah first led the group through check-in to start our conversation off. Sarah told us she likes to open up the session first with check-ins because sometimes we need to talk without a plan while Sarah is here to listen and ask questions. When the discussion of worth began, Sarah asked what does worth mean and how have you been able to exercise self-worth.

Thank you so much to Sarah and Yo Soy Ella for hosting a wonderful session. We look forward to our next session Wednesday, January 25 at 10:00 AM. Sign up here for our next session!

Yoga and Journaling | Session 1

PC: Maya Hill

In 2023, we are starting off the new year with several mental health workshops! Last Saturday, we held out first yoga and journaling session with Kathy Khang, a local yoga instructor. For these sessions, we wanted people to feel as safe and welcomed as possible. In turn, these sessions will be free to community members and their own guests.

First, Kathy led the group through a short breath work cycle to ease their minds. Then, she started with the journaling session. Kathy asked the group to write out what it means to belong in their opinion. After some shared their thoughts, they immediately went into gentle yoga. Their stretches included happy baby, downward dog, and child pose. No experience with yoga was needed for these simple and gentle poses!

Our guests explained they felt immediately better after the stretches. One of our past mentees explained that he had been experiencing back pain and after, he felt a lot of the pain was eliminated.

Thank you so much to our guests for coming and to Kathy for leading us through an amazing first session, Make sure to register for our next session on Saturday, January 28th at 10 AM!