Positive Thinking For Homeless Children

[Neo-Logic]

Hi everyone,

I'm launching a new project called "New Beginnings" for my local homeless shelter for families. Specifically, we'll be working with children ages 8 - 18 on positive thinking and mentality. I have everything planned, but I need some help on coming up with more activities. I need about 10 solid activities that pertains to the theme of goals, dreams, and hope. Here's what I've got now and the more you guys can suggest, the better we can use the great ideas and help the kids!

-Goals & dreams
-What do you want to be when you grow up
-Compliments & Encouragements workshop
-Places to travel
-Self-realization/ self-image workshop.

I'm brainstorming for more ideas as I solidify the entire project before launching it in 2 weeks time. I could really use all your talents.

[Jeremy Mason]

Originally Posted by Neo-Logic

Hi everyone,

I'm launching a new project called "New Beginnings" for my local homeless shelter for families. Specifically, we'll be working with children ages 8 - 18 on positive thinking and mentality. I have everything planned, but I need some help on coming up with more activities. I need about 10 solid activities that pertains to the theme of goals, dreams, and hope. Here's what I've got now and the more you guys can suggest, the better we can use the great ideas and help the kids!

-Goals & dreams
-What do you want to be when you grow up
-Compliments & Encouragements workshop
-Places to travel
-Self-realization/ self-image workshop.

I'm brainstorming for more ideas as I solidify the entire project before launching it in 2 weeks time. I could really use all your talents.

First of all I would like to commend you for your selfless initiative and desire to participate in something that our society has lacked for some time now. Frubals to you my friend.

As a Children's Percussion Instructor, I find music to be one of the best forms of teaching children about life and it's responsibilities. Here is a list of what a child gains from such experiences:

1) Students learn to cooperate with one another towards a common goal.

2) They learn how resolve disputes amongst themselves and if they can't, they learn to mediate with their instructor.

3) They learn that it take a great deal of hard work and sacrifice to achieve something worth while and to find ways to make that hard work enjoyable.

4) They learn how to use mathematics and vocabulary in creating something they are proud of.

5) By performing in front of their peers, they acquire self confidence and self esteem.

6) As they progress in their art, they are allowed to mentor and even teach their respective disciplines, which promotes leadership skills. Which also teaches the other student that it's ok to receive instruction from a fellow peer.

7) The ever present concept of a future performance teaches the student about deadlines and their role in a collective goal.


If you have any questions or need any help, let me know.

[Neo-Logic]

Thanks!

We are starting in 2 weeks time. I'm expecting there to be 20 trained members within 1 month and be able to serve up to 4 shelters with this same program within 2 months. Next steps are to register a domain name and make my foundation a charitable organization so donations can be tax-write offs for the people.

Still need acitivities, but you did give me lots of great ideas. Thanks for that.

[DallasApple]

Originally Posted by Neo-Logic

Hi everyone,

I'm launching a new project called "New Beginnings" for my local homeless shelter for families. Specifically, we'll be working with children ages 8 - 18 on positive thinking and mentality. I have everything planned, but I need some help on coming up with more activities. I need about 10 solid activities that pertains to the theme of goals, dreams, and hope. Here's what I've got now and the more you guys can suggest, the better we can use the great ideas and help the kids!

-Goals & dreams
-What do you want to be when you grow up
-Compliments & Encouragements workshop
-Places to travel
-Self-realization/ self-image workshop.

I'm brainstorming for more ideas as I solidify the entire project before launching it in 2 weeks time. I could really use all your talents.

Under your list..what activities are happening..I mean like whats included in "self realization/self image workshop"...?

Love

Dallas

[Quagmire]

What an incredible thing this is overall, Neo.

To add to your list, maybe include instruction in some of the arts. At this level it wouldn't take an expert to teach a class, any accomplished hobbiest could teach kids the basics;

Music lessons (how many kids do you know who don't want to learn to play the guitar? )
Drawing/painting
Creative writing
Acting
Dance
Singing

In that vein you could also consider some sport/PE classes. Again, at this level it wouldn't take an expert to teach.

Good luck with this, Man. Hope you'll keep us updated on how things are coming along.

EDIT: Oops, didn't notice Jeremy already suggested something like this. In that case I second the idea.

[DallasApple]

" Write a story" ...any story they so choose..

Nature subjects..and nature investiagtion ..Including weather..

Love

Dallas

[Heneni]

Ask the kiddies to write a story about a boy/girl (that being themselves), that was homeless once, and let them write down what happens to them in the future. Try to explain that they must write down not what they see themselves as in the future, (job) but what happens to get them there.

The stories will show you whether they have hope at all for the future. The stories will reveal to them whether they expect intervention from the outside to change their lives, or if they still feel that they have the power to change their future. You may want to read their stories, or you could tell them that its only between them and the piece of paper.

After a workshop. Ask them how they would change their story, let them re-write it if they want.

[Neo-Logic]

Originally Posted by Heneni

Ask the kiddies to write a story about a boy/girl (that being themselves), that was homeless once, and let them write down what happens to them in the future. Try to explain that they must write down not what they see themselves as in the future, (job) but what happens to get them there.

The stories will show you whether they have hope at all for the future. The stories will reveal to them whether they expect intervention from the outside to change their lives, or if they still feel that they have the power to change their future. You may want to read their stories, or you could tell them that its only between them and the piece of paper.

After a workshop. Ask them how they would change their story, let them re-write it if they want.

That's an interesting suggestion and I will consider it. Thanks for that.

The challenge is most of the homeless kids are far under-educated comparitvely to their age group. That is understadable. I met a 8 year old boy the other day who doesn't know how to read and is basically illiterate. Very saddening.

Your contribution is appreciated.

[Neo-Logic]