This past Christmas Eve, I facilitated a “Who’s With Me?” workshop with three members from Safe Place for Youth, all in their early twenties. Participants were invited to create artwork representing a higher power, guardian angel, guiding light, or source of support in their lives.

One participant created a painting with the phrase, “With God All Things Are Possible,” alongside a pastel image of a guardian angel with a halo. During the workshop, she shared that her faith has helped her continue moving forward through difficult experiences in her life. She also spoke about self-publishing a book about her childhood and her hope of reconnecting with her younger siblings in the future.

Another participant worked carefully on an image featuring an angelic figure alongside a raised middle finger. She shared that art has long been a source of peace and connection for her. Although her piece was still in progress when the workshop ended, she talked about wanting to take her time with the details and creating something that honestly reflected both her faith and her sense of self.

The third participant created a vibrant, abstract image of Jah inspired by her Rastafarian faith and Jamaican roots. She described wanting to paint the feeling and energy of God rather than a literal figure. During the workshop, she reflected on the pressures she has felt while building a life in the United States and the importance of staying grounded in her culture, spirituality, and hopes for the future.

The vibe was very positive when we finished, and spirits were high on the night before Christmas!