Free to be Me

After what many attendees said were the most impressive youth performances yet at HomeBridge’s Annual General Meeting in June, the Expressions Program of the Arts is ready to kick off another exciting year.

This year’s theme of “Free to be Me – Diversity and Acceptance” will expose the young people to many different cultures and experiences in an effort to broaden their experience, open their minds and help them accept themselves for the unique and special individuals that they are. The core components of Art, Music Therapy and Circus Circle will continue and Dance and Flying Yoga will be added. This year, all facilities will also incorporate the theme into their daily programming and there will be monthly events that this programming can be focused around.

Each month will have a cultural theme that will be used as a guide for all components of the program. For Example: in honour of Treaty Day, October’s focus will be First Nations Traditions. During this month there will be a special dinner for all youth, which will be include a featured guest who will explain some Mi’kmaq hunting and cooking traditions and prepare moose for dinner. During that month art classes will focus on making Dream Catchers and Music Therapy will include group drumming. Daily program will also explore history and traditions from the First Nations community and youth in all programs will be supported to attend local Treaty Day events on October 1st.

There is evidence based research proving that youth who have outside interests are more apt to stay in school and we have seen this first hand since we have added the Expressions Program of the Arts to our regular programming in Bridges For Learning. It has been our experience that when the youth have success in Music or Art, for example, it makes them more engaged in the learning process and look forward to coming to school. This year, the Expressions program will also be utilized to help students gain academic credits for school through the Halifax Regional School Board approved “Challenge for Credit Program”.

The Expressions Program of the Arts has been offered in all HomeBridge facilities since 2004. Thanks to the generous supporters who fund this program it has created life-long hobbies for many of the youth who participate and countless positive experiences for everyone involved.