Confidence for Curtis

Wanda Reinholdt
Hope Bridges Society

 

Winter 2015 launches Hope Bridges third year doing regular programming.
Since the beginning, they have had a very fun and engaging adult workshop called “Go Green Upcycling,” which encourages participants to take something that could be recycled or thrown away and turn it into something that is useful and beautiful.
Pieces like a large mural called “Flight” made out of plastic gift cards mounted on an old doorframe, and the bench called “Belong,” a pew made into a beautiful community bench for the library, are now adorning the community of Strathmore. In addition, many participants’ homes are blessed with pieces that they have made.
One of the participants in this Upcycling workshop is Curtis. Curtis is a young man who has been coming to Hope Bridges workshops and events regularly for the past year. He attends with a job coach from the AIM Society who gives him the support he needs to walk safely and also help him handle any details. Curtis loves meeting with his friends at Upcycling and enjoys sharing his love for colour, shapes, and music.
Curtis began his journey creating at Upcycling with some nervousness and doubt about his ability to do this well. In particular, he was concerned that the choices he was making would work and that they would look good. Each time he was creating, he would ask Facilitator, Trish, and Creative Support, Heather, if what he was doing was ok. They would simply encourage him in his exploration and help him feel at ease with his choices. Recently, Trish reported that she realized that Curtis is no longer questioning his choices. In fact, he seems to be confidently making decisions about what he is going to choose to do and is enjoying sharing what he has done with others.
Hope Bridges goal is to create a place where adults know that they belong and can create in an inclusive safe and affirming environment without judgment. It is thrilling to see individuals like Curtis rising to a new level of connection and confidence in himself and in his expression.
If you would like to see more about Hope Bridges, please see this video online (http://www.hopebridges.ca/video/994/).