In the Calm Room, we leaned into quiet creativity with a self-guided coloring session. The setup was simple but intentional: stacks of coloring books, vibrant colored pencils and markers, and a special set of coloring pages that read “I choose kindness.” Students were invited to settle in and go at their own pace with this coloring session. These self-guided sessions remind us that healing doesn’t always require direct guidance. Sometimes, students just need space to follow their own rhythm.
This week in the Calm Room, we gathered in a circle with our Program Coordinator, Liz, for a check-in that invited presence, reflection, and possibility. Liz began by going around and asking each student who participated how they were feeling. From there, we shifted to what kind of workshops the students would like to see when they come to the Calm Room. Students wrote their ideas down, which filled the center of our circle. Wrapping things up, we also asked the students to reflect on how they felt before entering the Calm Room and how they felt now.
We are grateful to the students who were a part of the Check-in Circle and to Liz, who held the space with ideas and intention. We look forward to seeing you at the next Check-in Circle!
This time in the Calm Room, we invited students to slow down and shape something with their hands. We brought different colors of clay, tools, and open space - letting creativity lead the way. It was fun to see the students come up and make their clay creations come to life! These moments remind us that creativity does not always need words, but you can also create something in different ways.
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.
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!
