02/06/2015
Update from Program LIVES week 2:
All participants returned back for week 2. We are currently working on the "I" in Program LIVES, and that is Involvement. The kids have decided for their first project they would like to make a short documentary to share their stories. So after a quick ice breaker called "would you rather" (which stirred up some laughs) we had pizza while brainstorming ideas for their film. The kids will be sharing the film with the community once it is complete. The goals of the project are to "inspire others to share their stories, regardless of whether it is good or bad, for the purpose of helping others and to knock down stereotypes people have about children in foster care". They want people to know being in foster care doesn't necessarily mean you are troubled, damaged, or unwanted. Each of the teens are working on developing what role they will take on in the film (ie narrator, editor, director, design). This is an ambitious first project, but OUR goal is to show the kids they can accomplish anything they put their minds to. A few of the teens in the group seem to view themselves as "Lone Rangers"; this project is helping them to work as a team, developing vital social skills, and creating a sense of belonging and community. We are open to suggestions from any amateur film makers out there. If anyone with experience in film making and/or storytelling would like to be a guest speaker, please contact us.
