As part of our YWCA Glendale and Pasadena prevention work, we facilitate afterschool programs for girls in grades 5–9 across Los Angeles County. Our curriculum is designed to empower youth, build confidence, and create a safe, supportive space for them to share their experiences and grow alongside peers from their communities.
Earlier this year, a large portion of our community was deeply impacted by wildfires that devastated homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Many of our students were directly affected—some lost their homes, had to evacuate, or witnessed their schools and support systems become unstable. Others became pillars of strength for family and friends who had lost everything. These youth were processing grief, fear, and major life disruptions while still showing up to school and our program spaces.
As we approached the end of the school year, I wanted to hold space for these experiences in a meaningful way. I chose the Absorb and Release activity from A Window Between Worlds as a way to honor what the students had endured—collectively and individually—and to give them an opportunity to reflect and release as they prepared to enter the summer.
At first, the girls were hesitant to write their absorb and release lists. I encouraged them to participate in whatever way felt right, reminding them that there was no wrong way to engage in the process. I also added a journaling prompt: “Write down something you choose to let go of today.” This helped open the door to deeper reflection, inviting students to identify a feeling, habit, or experience that no longer served them.
Once the materials were set up, the atmosphere shifted. The tie-dye kits caught their eyes and brought energy to the room. The girls were excited to get hands-on with the materials—choosing colors that resonated with them, dipping sponges, and squeezing dye onto cardstock. They particularly loved how the dye splattered and spread across the paper. While it was a bit messy for our first attempt (we now know to prep with more tablecloths and maybe aprons!), the engagement and creativity it sparked made it worthwhile.
After the dye dried, we gave the students time to add final details with acrylic paint markers. They were encouraged to add words, images, or phrases that represented what they were choosing to let go of. Some of the messages included “Be kind to others,” “Lay on the floor and let gravity take everything,” and “Be strong.”
The students were deeply engaged in the process, and the workshop became more than just a creative activity—it was a collective exhale. It offered a space for them to reflect, feel, and release what they had been carrying. Some were surprised by what surfaced during journaling. Others shared how it felt good to “squeeze out” their feelings in a physical, visual way.
One participant quietly said as she looked at her art, “It feels like I don’t have to hold it all anymore.”
Overall, the activity created a powerful moment of connection and healing. It allowed our students to not only express themselves, but also begin the summer with a lighter heart.
