Cookie Decorating at TFD

For our last workshop of the semester, we closed things out with a winter-themed cookie decorating workshop led by pastry chef Bianca Huerta, who runs her own business making custom cakes and desserts.

Each participant got a box with four plain sugar cookies, icing tubes, and sprinkles. Bianca walked us through the basics of using the icing, sharing the tips and tricks along the way, while everyone followed along and added their own creativity. Near the end of the workshop, there were all different versions of cookies to see - snowflakes, trees, and different designs.

Huge thanks to Bianca for guiding us through such a fun, festive workshop, and to everyone who was a part of it!

Ornament Decorating at TFD

This workshop was facilitated by Yekseny Guerrero. The gathering began with introductions, creating a space for everyone to share a bit more about themselves. From there, Yekseny guided our neighbors into some intentional questions - inviting self-reflection and opening the door for deeper conversations.

The heart of the workshop was decorating ornaments, each becoming a canvas for expression. Colors were added to the ornament globes, speaking about the hardships that have been faced - each color representing a story. As the colors were being mixed together, each ornament was unique and created a new look for each one. Watching the colors merging reminded us that even when hardships overlap, there is always something positive in the outcome of all the negatives.

At the close of the workshop, we held space to appreciate the process and each other. We are grateful to Yekseny for leading this workshop with such care and intention as always.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Candle Making at TFD

This candle-making workshop was led by both Liz, our Program Coordinator, and Jess, our Community Engagement Coordinator. For this workshop, it was a 2-in-1, where candle making was mixed in with a check-in circle.

They started with introductions, as each neighbor wrote down their names and chose a word that started with the letter of their first name. Next, they had the choice to select from inspiring stickers, and paint markers to decorate their candles. This allowed them to add a personal touch that reflected themselves and their stories. Each person then shared the meaning of their candle with the group.

While the candles hardened, they shifted back into a check-in circle where they played games, and fostered deeper connection and belong as a community.

Be sure to check out some of our favorite photos from this workshop below!

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Self Esteem in Clay

We gathered for a workshop called Self-Esteem in Clay, led by Yekseny Guerrero. Tables were set with clay and tools ready for sculpting. Yekseny began by introducing the workshop and inviting everyone to reflect on the connection between creativity and self-esteem. As the group settled in, each participant took a moment to introduce themselves.

With clay in hand, participants shaped and molded their ideas into form. The process wasn’t just about technique - it was about expression. When everyone was done, we went around and everyone shared what they had made and why. These reflections led to further conversations about emotions, identity, and the way we express ourselves.

A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us. Your openness, honesty, and willingness to share what each of you are going through made the workshop a meaningful one.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Calm Room: Diamond Painting

This week in the Calm Room, we did diamond painting. The diamond painting consists of different colored gems, and the students had the option to choose any small animal paper to fill with diamonds. It was a quiet activity, and the students were focused on adding each gem one by one.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.