The Childhood Memories workshop was facilitated in a group setting with students from diverse backgrounds. All of the students were males and were referred to the group for high levels of disruptive behavior or eloping from class. The purpose of the group was to build a sense of belonging and a community for these students to connect and create together. 

Many of the students have come from a challenging background living in marginalized communities and schools with limited resources and high violence. We had begun our groups with a “candle of connection” and the students were slowly becoming more comfortable in exploring different art mediums. 

This session, we focused on childhood memories. I showed them the art worksheet with the shoes hanging on the wire and all of the students reacted and began sharing. They all had similar answers of what the shoes on the line meant to them. A student shared, “that’s how you know you’re in the hood” and everyone started laughing. 

At the end, we aimed to focus on re-defining the messages and labels that have been shared with them. Taking memories, writing about them, and sharing with others in an open and brave space. 

One of the 16-year-old students expressed feeling gratitude, peace, and happiness at the end of this session. He shared moments living with his grandmother, her food and care, the nickname she had for him, and how much joy those years brought to his life and how meaningful they were to him.