It’s been just over 6 months since I
left Florida to be a Young Adult Volunteer in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and I
am now at the halfway mark. I feel
like I am at the peak of a tall hill, and I have the advantage of seeing where
I’ve come from, and how far I have to go.
The first few months of climbing have been filled with challenges, self-discoveries, feeling-low funks, top-of-the-world highs, and exciting new
experiences.
I’ve learned so much – more than I thought possible – in the
short amount of time that I’ve been here. Now that I’ve lived in another
culture, I’ve grown to see my own country in a new light, recognizing America’s
own triumphs and flaws. I feel more like a global citizen.
One of my main responsibilities and joys these past few
months has been helping to facilitate a mural project for the walls of The
Link’s youth drop-in room. We rounded up 8 young people who would regularly
attend the drop-in, and gave them the reins in planning their mural! The only
stipulation was that it had to be about their community… and potentially how
they could be a catalyst for positive changes within their community.
We received a grant in order to hire a local artist group
who specializes in painting murals. They listened to the 8 young people explain
what they imagined their mural to be about, and came back to us with a design
for everyone to approve. Everyone was so enthusiastic and was itching to get a
spray can in their hands!
The artists laid in the basic outline of the design, and
they let the youth fill in the color!
Everyone had a blast!
Some of them were especially eager to document the entire
process.
Within 2 days, we had painted and completed our mural. It
was such a positive experience for all involved, and it made a real difference
in the way the room felt – less clinical and much more cheerful! And even
beyond that, the message within the mural has really seemed to resonate with
the participants: everyone has the ability to make a difference in the world
around them!
At the end of February, we had a Presentation/Unveiling/Celebration of the mural, and recognized the 8 young people who made the mural possible. There were families, friends, Link Staff, Volunteers, and community members invited to our fancy-schmancy shin-dig, and everyone was so impressed and proud of our youth!
In the image to the left, you can see the red curtain hiding the mural until the unveiling, and everyone watching a video of the process and interviews that were pieced together by myself! Our camera men were so enthusiastic that there was plenty of video footage to choose from. If you'd like to see what the young people had to say about their project, and some first impressions from other members of the drop-in, definitely check out the video below!
WAY TO GO GUYS! YOU ROCK!
