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warmed my heart to see that my artwork could be a part of their day, a part of their community too. Young Artists At Work by: Ari Collins Not many adults can give their teenage self credit for good judgment. I, however, will forever be grateful to my 16-year-old self for the internet deepdive that turned into my best decision ever. I was scrolling through the internet, looking for events in Toledo to photograph, when my eye caught an advertisement for the Young Artists at Work (YAAW) program organized by the Arts Commission of Toledo. I knew instantly, when I curiously hovered my mouse over the small icon, that I wanted to apply for the job. Even as a shy kid, isolated by the pandemic and a rough year in high school, something forced me to branch out and send in my application. After an online interview and a month of waiting, I fi nally got that call and I surrendered my summer immediately. To start, I had no car or driver’s license, no idea what I had signed up for, and no friends or acquaintances in sight. By the end of the six-week program, almost everything about me had changed. My fi rst YAAW summer was spent learning, creating and connecting. I was assigned to the Dorr Street signal box group. This group’s goal was to create numerous paintings and drawings to be placed in the Junction neighborhood. During the six weeks, I spent a lot of time getting to know my teammates as we researched the rich history of Dorr Street, met with members of the community and designed numerous artworks that told their story. After my project was installed, I gave it a hug. I created the painting with so much love. And the love is still there, not just from me. Just a few weeks ago, nearly two years after I created it, I drove by my signal box. A group of three small children was sitting right around and on top of it, playing and riding bikes. The painting was a part of my every day for those six weeks. It The program name being Young Artists at Work is quite an understatement, in my humble opinion. While apprentices do create art at work, learning new artistic skills and techniques along the way, YAAW is not just about art — that’s just skimming the surface. I have gained so much more than just new ways to move my paintbrush or blend colors. Throughout the program, there are large-group lessons, guest speakers and mentor opportunities for the apprentices. I have gained countless skills that have benefi ted my mindset and my life in general. Although I am grateful for every single thing that YAAW has taught me, I think the most meaningful skill that I have gained is leadership. My second year in YAAW, I was given the role of a senior apprentice. In this role, I was an older, experienced mentor and role model for my fellow apprentices. I was given the opportunity to teach a workshop to my team, give a public speech and presentation to the community, and build deeper connections with the apprentices. On the fi nal day of my second YAAW summer, many of the apprentices on my team ran to give me hugs before I drove away. I loved my experience of being a leader, but I could never be sure if I had done enough — the hugs and tears at the end of the summer revealed it to me exactly. Being a young artist at work the past two years has made me fall in love with being a leader. It has made me become a more active member in the community while giving me a specifi c purpose. The program has taught me life skills that I use every single day. It has helped me make more friends and connections than I have ever had and it provides resources, opportunities and spreads genuine joy to the city of Toledo. YAAW is an amazing opportunity for any person of age to join. It is not just a job for teens. It provides a service to Toledo youth by giving them a chance to serve their community and themselves. Inside the System: Perspectives from a Mother and Daughter By Angela Jennings To get a long-term perspective on the experience of fostering and adopting, Angela Jennings spoke with a mother and one of her adopted daughters - who is now an adult. Tell me about your background with the foster care system/children services. Mother: We fostered two little girls who were in the system, then adopted them. How can parents familiarize themselves with the needs of children in the foster care system? Mother: Education is very important. In order to become foster/adoptive parents, you have to go through so many hours of training. Daughter: I think trying to learn from other foster parents or parents who have adopted already would be a great way to learn. Each kid has had different experiences, and they need different things. You can learn from the kid you’re adopting/fostering, but you have to actually be willing to pay attention and try to understand the kid. Every kid has trauma regardless of if they’ve been through the system. It’s just important to know how that might affect them. How can parents advocate for their foster/adoptive children in the education system? Mother: A lot of the children in the system are on an IEP (individualized educational program), so that’s a huge help. You have to be a team with the teachers. If the teachers are not on board, then all hell breaks loose. Daughter: Parents have to be willing to speak up. If something is wrong, say something. If something the system is doing is hurting the kid, they need to be willing to teach the kid that whatever is hurting them is wrong, so the kid understands. Also, parents need to be able to say whatever is harming the kid is wrong, in order to stick up for their child as well. How can parents prepare their biological children for the arrival of a new foster/adoptive sibling?” Mother: Lots of talks and lots of books. Let your biological children be a part of the process. When we picked my daughter’s name, my biological son helped. Regardless, nothing you do will fully prepare you or your biological children. What are the key qualities of a good foster or adoptive parent? Mother: A family who is on the same page. If not, the environment is not conducive to the child, and may worsen an already unstable situation. Faith has also helped us tremendously. What are some ways to create a sense of belonging and trust for adoptive/foster kids? Mother: You just can’t give up even when it’s hard, because it will be very hard. At the beginning, these kids don’t love you, and in some cases, they don’t even like you. You might even seem like the bad guy to them. Don’t give up. Love them always. Don’t treat them differently than you treat your biological children, as they are also your children. So many people can’t handle the hard times, and these children get bounced from one home to another, and that causes so many more issues for the kids. What are some considerations for foster/adoptive families, such as methods of support? Mother: If you need help, I’m sure it’s available, but good luck fi nding it. Daughter: Good luck fi nding help. It’s extremely hard. As soon as the kid is adopted, you’re basically on your own. The most common ways to fi nd support are through other people that share the same or similar experiences to yours. Any other thoughts? Mother: This was the best decision we ever made. It was a hard path. We cried a lot. We were scared we made a horrible choice during the hard times. Taking in a baby with drug withdrawal and a toddler with severe behavioral issues took us from having one kid, to three in less than two days. Now we are bonded and we are truly a family. The words “biological” and “adopted” mean nothing, and they are just my babies, my pride and joy, and my best friends. It was tough at the beginning, with earning the love and trust they have bestowed upon me. I’m just so blessed to have them in my life. Everyone says the adopted kids were blessed to have us, but in reality, it’s the other way around. It simply goes both ways. Page 13

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