It is with great pleasure that I share how my first session with the gentlemen at Evergreen Shelter went. I’ve put together two separate programs that focus on team building and learning how the brain works through teaching the principles of magic and juggling.
Our first session focused on magic and why it fools us. I demonstrated a few tricks and then taught the men how to perform and why our brains fool us into believing things that did not happen. I used some of the grant money to give away magic props that the men could use to work on self-confidence and dexterity.
The session lasted about one hour and was attended by 10 men from the Salvation Army Shelter. The reactions were priceless, and the men were genuinely appreciative of what I was trying to do with my Neighbourhood Small Grant – connect community!
Without fail, all the men who took part are excited about our next session of juggling in January. By granting this funding, the Neighbourhood Small Grants Program and the Campbell River Community Foundation have truly made a difference in these ten men’s lives.
I am also exploring a similar program for the Dinner Bell program. This program teaches culinary skills for our fellow citizens experiencing mental health crisis. It will teach the necessary skills to cook and how provide healthy meals.
I also held a juggling workshop. It also went very well. Of the 7 or 8 gentlemen who were learning, three actually began to juggle three balls. It was a fun evening. I gave away a set of professional juggling balls to all who took part. Attached is a pic of me and one of the guests juggling 5 balls between us!
I cannot thank you enough for being a part of this. You may have started something that will turn into an ongoing program as the guests at the shelter change over time.
