F R I E N D S F I R S T

SPOTLIGHT ON… Denira and Beth

A weekend afternoon together might find Denira and Beth baking cookies, playing musical instruments or drawing together while enjoying ice cream… or attending an open mic night, drumming workshop or frequenting Chicago’s art museums. The city has endless opportunities for creative activities and fun and Beth and Denira are taking it all in—leaving no stone (or museum) undiscovered. Matched in July 2010, Denira and Beth have capitalized on their mutual interests in learning, art, music and exploring Chicago. Denira had lots of ideas about outings she and Beth could do together when they were first matched. “We did all of my ideas for a while and then we started doing some of Beth’s new ideas, too. Beth has some good ideas for things to do,” says Denira. For Denira, some of her favorite outings have been drawing pictures, going to a teen open mic night at the Old Town School of Folk Music and winning the Halloween party costume contest. Denira’s passion for visiting art museums has been encouraged by her grandmother with whom she has visited the Museum of Contemporary Art. Denira also visited this museum with her school and Beth was impressed that she was able to recognize work by the artist Calder. After visiting the museum, the pair went for ice cream and together drew pictures of their favorite pieces of artwork. In describing Denira’s eye for art, Beth says: “She has a great deal of freedom and jumps right in to try things. She allows her imagination to lead her and is not afraid to try new things.”

Beth has enjoyed observing Denira’s creativity grow and develop over the past few months. “She is now seeing things she likes and deciding how to reproduce them on her own,” says Beth. Denira’s most recent artwork was a self-portrait inspired by the New Year, reflecting on how she sees herself right now. Denira and Beth have a shared interest in music as well. “Beth has a bunch of instruments and I got to play them. The guitar was my favorite,” says Denira. Beth is (along with many other talents) a composer and is delighted by Denira’s interest in music. “I love sound and creating sound and making different kinds of sound. I try to make sense of the sounds and create things I hope move people,” says Beth. Beth was hard-pressed to name her favorite activity so far, noting that she has really enjoyed each of their outings together. But going to the circus, a play, and the Halloween and holiday parties are some that she remembers most fondly. Beth is excited to see where Denira’s energy and creativity take her. She says of Denira, “She has a strong motivation to be an artist.” Beth also notes that Denira has a gift for seeing the potential in others, recalling how she commented on the artistic talents of other Friend Firsts youth. Denira said to Beth when talking about a youth in the program, “He is going to be somebody.” Beth told Denira that this is what she sees in her, too: that she is going to be somebody. For Beth, the “102 Things To Do With Two” book has proved helpful in planning for creative activities. She also notes that living in Chicago is probably the best resource one can have. Her advice for mentors is this: “You can ask the child about what interests them and then go directly to the source, whether it is art or music or the opera.” Beth is grateful for the opportunities offered by the windy city and believes that many organizations are extremely helpful in connecting youth with the arts through offering special discounts, free days and student rates. “Usually they want to help children,” says Beth, “You just have to ask.”

Friends First is a program of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls www.mercyhome.org

Winter/Spring 2011 

Ashley Grows Through Musical Discovery “I think music itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It is something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” (Billy Joel) Music is the expression of a creative idea. It comes from our heart and soul. Some of the children in the Friends First Program have chosen to embrace music through the use of a musical instrument, through voice, or through movement within a dance. Ashley began her creative musical journey when she witnessed her sister playing the flute. She watched her progress and asked her if she could also learn to play the instrument. Her sister agreed. She began to play the flute at the age of eleven. One year later, Ashley started to expand her musical talent and began playing the guitar. Through her teacher in school, she began to play the cords and began to practice 20 to 30 minutes each day. She eventually joined a rock group with seven other players and they are now seriously practicing to play in the Spring Concert. She enjoys playing a song entitled “Animal” by Neon Trees. She feels that the music has given her the opportunity to express many feelings about life. She admires her sister who continues to play the flute at an advanced level and hopes that she will do the same with her instrument in the future. She hopes to attend Shi Arts High School in Chicago, which is a magnet school focusing on the musical arts. She feels that her mentor gives her a healthy bit of support not only in music, but in other parts of her life. Ashley is contemplating an expansion of her musical instruments by adding the saxophone. Before she finishes her musical journey, she might play all the instruments of a band. Don’t bet against her. As Alfred North Whitehead said many years ago, “From the beginning of education, the child should experience the joy of discovery.” ~Br. Paul McDonough

Mary Ann’s Moment Everyone has creative talent in some area. We just don’t always know how to put our interests and talents together in a creative way. Think about the things that you enjoy doing and ways that you can do them that do not cost much or take the fun out of your interest in them. Ask your mentor, parent or teacher to help you brainstorm all the possibilities. For instance, I love photography, but I do not have a camera. You can purchase an inexpensive, one-time-use camera from a dollar or drug store. Pick a specific project/subject or simply walk around snapping interesting photos as you come across them. Once finished, you can drop them off at any store that has in-house photo processing and have your photographs put onto a disk or individual pictures. You can then start a scrapbook using discounted colored paper or poster board. This would be a fun project to work on with your mentor. You can keep a continuing photo album or you can break them up into smaller groups to create individual albums for each event or theme. If you continue to think creatively you will hone your skills as a photographer and a scrapbook designer! ~Mary Ann Pilet

Happy Birthday!! October Lazario H…………...10/03 Jacob B……………...10/06 Angelic B……………10/11 Kathleen P………….10/17 Benny V…………….10/27 Lionel G…………….10/28 Sydney T……………10/29 Maria M…………….10/30 November Daniel B………….….11/04 Denira C…………….11/04 Robert R…………….11/08 Christian G…………11/10 December Isadora C…………...12/06 Ashley D…………….12/08 Rico C……………….12/11 Daphne P…………...12/20

We apologize if we have missed your

birthday. Please let us know so we can add it to our calendar.

Welcome New Matches! We are pleased to welcome these new

matches and wish them all the best as they start an exciting year together:

Mario F. & Lazario H…….. 10/09 Peter R. & Jordan D……….10/24 Elke M. & Bria D…………..11/11 Michael W. & Elijah M……11/20 Jen S. & Kelisha W………...11/21 Donald I. & Lionel G………11/22

Friends First Creativity Facts Fun facts to launch your imagination and inspire creativity… Roger von Oech in, A Kick in the Seat of the Pants, feels the creative process consists of adopting four roles: “The hallmark of creative people is their mental flexibility... Sometimes they are open and probing, at others they're playful and off-the-wall. At still other times, they're critical and faultfinding. And finally they're doggedly persistent in striving to reach their goals. From this I've concluded that the creative process consists of our adopting four main roles, each which embodies a different type of thinking... These roles are: Explorer, Artist, Judge and Warrior.” The initial response to some creative thinking: • “This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is

inherently of no value to us." - Western Union internal memo, 1876. • "The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible." - A Yale

University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp.

• "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." - Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962. Are you connecting to and expressing your creativity? • Explorer: How flexible is your thinking? How willing are you to embrace new ideas? How curious are you? • Artist: How willing are you to make a mistake? How willing are you to express yourself in your own unique way? • Judge: How critical are you of your creativity? Do you allow the opinions of others to stop your creativity? • Warrior: How determined are you to express your individuality? Which of your ideas are you willing to stand up for? ~ Diane Venzera

Mandala Activity

“If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head almost nothing.” -Marc Chagall Mandala means “circle” and is used to help us move our attention from our minds to our hearts. When we are focusing from our hearts we are more likely to be in the flow of creativity.

Directions: • Go to a quiet place with the

mandala and some crayons. • Take a deep breath, choose

a color and begin coloring the mandala from the center out.

• Allow your heart to select the colors.

• When you are finished, notice how you feel.

• Pay attention to any positive creative ideas that may come to you in the next few weeks.

• Explore how you can act on them.

Trash to Treasure Contest

Engage your creative juices to make something fun, help the environment… and maybe even win a great prize!

Objective Use only items gathered from recycling and trash to create a new invention, art project or game.. The Rules 1. You many use only items from your (both mentee and mentor) trash or recycling AND scissors, tape, glue, markers, crayons or pens. 2. Both mentor and mentee must plan and create their project together. To submit your Trash to Treasure creation, take a picture of your project and send it to Amanda at amasne@mercyhome.org along with a short paragraph description. The Prize: The winning match will receive a gift certificate for Regal Movie Theatres. ~ Amanda Sneed 

Kreative Kids

Tom K. & Godofredo N.

Having fun in the winter months might be challenging but if you use your imagination, you’ll be surprised at all the creative activities you do. You could make paper snow flakes to decorate a room or make a sculpture using homemade clay. Tom and Godofredo braved the cold and got creative decorating their snowman. Way to go guys! ~ Yaresi Lopez

Happy Birthday!! January Dantrell W…………...1/01 Najee N……………….1/07 Armon P……………...1/09 Willie C………………1/10 Kelisha W…..………..1/24 Andre T………………1/26 Tobias G……………...1/29 February Zitlaly G……………...2/01 Corey W……………...2/06 Bria D………………...2/14 Amirra D……………..2/19 Natjaxi C…………….2/29

March Jasmine T…………….3/02 Makayla B……………3/03 Jordan M…………….3/04 Sarah B……………….3/09 Yvonne S……………..3/21 Victoria R…………….3/28 Raja A………………..3/31 We apologize if we have missed your

birthday. Please let us know so we can add it to our calendar.

Friends First News The team recently welcomed Diane Venzera as our Friends First Volunteer Coordinator. Diane brings a wealth of experience to the team, having served as a Match Support Representative (MSR) before taking on this position. Diane will work primarily in the recruitment, screening, training and support of our Friends First volunteers. When Diane is not working, she enjoys the creative activities of stain glass making and story-telling. Friends First Tidbits Maybe the young person in your life has not yet found his or her creative outlet…be brave with them and try something new. Check out the local park district to see if there is a free dance class, call ahead to a music store and see if they will let you try out an instrument or write poems about each other and then share them. To help “spark” and encourage artistic interests, engage youth in talking about their talents and passions. • Have you ever thought about how this talent could

be something you get paid for later in life? • Have you always been good at this or have you

had to learn and practice? • What do you like about it? • Would you teach me so I can share in the fun? Visit http://www.ignitesparks.comsparks_conversation.html

~ Mary Quinn

We love your stories so please keep sharing them with us!

Friends First Focus “Creative Use of Time...” ...Is this M.A.T.C.H newsletter’s focus. The Search Institute (www.search-institute.org) describes this as a “young person (who) spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.” Whether you listen to the young person in your life practice an instrument, help them memorize and recite their lines for a school performance, or share the story of your first dance recital, you can build this asset simply by doing and supporting their creative interests. Friends First Fun! Halloween is a time to be artistic--visually, theatrically and fashionably! What a better place to showcase this creativity than at the Friends First Halloween Party. Pumpkin carvers got creative and not only made traditional Jack-o-lanterns but turned pumpkins into spooky scenes or decorative centerpieces. This year’s carving winners were Najaxi C., Willie C. and Emilia B. The creativity continued in the costume category where one match—Denira C. and Beth B., who dressed as a cat and a pumpkin—took the prize for best costumed pair; and Isadora took the title for her wonderful Egyptian costume. The group then shared their vocal talents—hitting almost every note—while screaming their way through the Trails of Terror at Peterson Park. Creativity was alive and well at this year’s Holiday Party. From cupcake decorating to face-painting to making ornaments and holiday cards—our matches showed their flair for the arts in all the crafty opportunities of the day. Other activities included: soccer, football, Bozo buckets and Holiday Music Musical Chairs. This year’s party brought nearly 100 people together to celebrate the gift of friendship. A visit from Santa helped all to enjoy the day.

Happy Anniversary!

Ashley M. & Yvonne S…….………..10/09 Patty S. & Dejah J………….……….10/10 Kaye O. & Victoria R…….…………10/16 Jim J. & Daniel B…………………. ..10/23 Lisa Z. & Kathleen P………………..11/10 McKenzie D. & Najee N…………….11/12 Bart R. & Dantrell W……………….11/20 Janice B. & Tia M…………………...11/28 Chris K. & Willie C………………….11/29 Brian H. & Andre T……………...….12/29 Melissa F. & Nancy V…………….....12/30

Andrew S. & Benny V……….……….1/20 Matt H. & Armon P………….……….1/21 John D. & Curtis H…………….……..1/31 Rebecca W. & Shirley W…….……….2/15 Cherie R. & Sydney T…….…………..2/18 Pat P. & Ashley D…………. ..……….2/22 Thomas E. & Jacob B………………...2/23 Ryan W. & Jabree G…………………2/26 Tina M. & Raja A…………………….3/20 David S. & Rico C………...………….3/27

Things that Make You Go “Hmmm?” 

F R I E N D S F I R S T

A newsletter dedicated to building and supporting the Friends First community of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. For more information, please call (312) 738-7552 or visit www.mercyhome.org.

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Creative Outings

One of many ways to come up with creative outings is to write down different topics of interest to do with your match. A few examples would be Community, Family, Entertainment, Sporting Events, Health, Savings, Indoor, Outdoor, Educational, Physical Activities, Writing Thank You Notes and many more. A way to study a topic is by writing down what you know about the topic on one side, and what you do not know and would like to find out on the other side. An example would be the sport of baseball. What do we know about baseball? Besides the players, teams, media publicity, did you know that there are 25 players on each team? 9 players are always on the field: You can discover the name of the positions in different languages like English and Spanish. • Catcher = Receptor • Pitcher = Lanzador • First Baseman = Primera Base • Second Baseman = Segunda base • Shortstop = Torpedero • Third Baseman = Tercera Base • Left Fielder = Jardinero Izquierdo • Right Fielder = Jardinero Derecho • Center Fielder = Jardinero Central

The bases are 15 inches square and are 90 feet apart. Did you know that the longest game ever was between the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers, a total of 25 innings; over 8 hours in total? The shortest game was 51 minutes between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies. These are a few discoveries that are available to matches in libraries, encyclopedias and on the internet. Prepare for a new year full of adventures and creative outings. Remember there is no right or wrong answer, and people learn some-thing new everyday. Climb your mountain along with your match, and discover the new avenues that the world offers. ~ Alberto Paguada