Brain
Art from Ashes
We're excited for what's coming, and we hope you'll join us in the great work (and fun) again this year!
Every new year is full of promise, and that is no different at Art from Ashes as we look to the exciting programs and events planned. From First Fridays with amazing spoken word performances, to our newest programs, Drawing on Air and Casting Shadows. In addition, new staff and volunteers are excited to bring fresh ideas to the youth we serve. Thank you to all of our supporters for making a difference in so many young lives!
The Extraordinary Hibaq Osman 
by Beatriz Tamariz, volunteer 

I sat before a singular young lady. In fact I'd heard so many facilitators speak wonders about Hibaq, her presence made me nervous. We met at a coffee shop near her home in East Denver and quickly covered the basics. Hibaq is a 17 year old who not only exudes confidence but a strong sense of self. She informed me she attends Compassion Road Academy, an alternative school. Hibaq didn't flinch when she told me she'd been kicked out of her former High School in 2014. Later, I would understand Art from Ashes taught her no flinching is necessary.

Hibaq became involved with Art from Ashes (AfA) in April 2015 after enrolling for the Phoenix Rising workshops at Compassion Road. "The Spoken Word workshop just seemed cool!" she said. Hibaq related she grew quite enamored with the program and the facilitators. Ashley was the lead facilitator for the workshop, and Franklin was there when Ashley wasn't. Hibaq continued about how she loved everyone at Art from Ashes: Johnny, Morgan, Catherine, and so many other names I couldn't keep up.  She stated Franklin has turned her on to Yoga. He encourages her to kick off her shoes and do spontaneous yoga stretches at the mention of a rough day. Hibaq stated Angela, another AfA facilitator, is currently coaching her on memorizing her poems. These are the people who helped her see what she was capable of accomplishing-who helped her see her full potential. Hibaq added she also has made a lot of friends her own age through AfA.

Hibaq unwaveringly continued telling me about her story. She said she has been in and out of treatment facilities...

CLICK HERE TO FINISH THE INTERVIEW AND READ SOME OF HIBAQ'S POEMS

You can donate through Paypal Giving Fund or ColoradoGives to support Hibaq's facilitator training!
Colorado Gives

WE'VE GOT YER EVENTS RIGHT HERE!
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From baseball games to flamboyant fundraisers to merry madness, you simply must attend at least one. Because we're fun. Really. If you're going to give, have fun doing it! Plus, you always get to hear the youth perform their hearts out. What more could you ask?

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR EVENTS PAGE
CLICK HERE IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN OUR EVENTS TEAM!
About the Adult Workshops
by Johnny Fuenzalida
Johnny is a former youth participant who is now a trained Phoenix Rising facilitator
I participated in one of the six-week adult workshops at Art from Ashes starting in September. Catherine O'Neill Thorn, the Executive Director herself, facilitates all the adult workshops, which also serve to provide training for facilitators. It was clear that Catherine has done this for a long time; yet while monotony tends to infect any long-term activity, Catherine showed no signs of "going through the motions." She was absolutely present with us and was visibly appreciative and affected by the things we wrote. Her novelty fueled the general atmosphere of the room and strengthened the overall purpose-every word we wrote was new to us, every laugh and cry a fresh step towards transformation.

When anybody sits down at a table full of strangers, it's next to impossible to stop yourself from judging each one according to appearance and the first few words they speak, which was true for me at the beginning of the workshop. However, after weeks of following the brilliantly structured curriculum, I found myself looking at these strangers with reverence. Now I hold their personality traits, charms, and even their flaws in such statuesque appreciation. Each of them are champions of who they are, playing the role of "person" in such a professional manner so as to elicit awe.

Now, as I go through daily mundane tasks, I sometimes catch myself seeing a random passerby as more than just "walking furniture." I will think to myself, I wonder what this person would write about in a workshop.

For me, the most important lesson I learned from this experience was that every person contains a deep reservoir of feeling and intention. Too often, this reservoir is something we never consider during a first impression.

Go to the Adult Workshop page on our website to sign up for the next series.
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LINKS
If you're interested in being a guest artist, contact Director of Programs Ashley Cornelius
HERE 
Colorado Gives
or through Paypal

 
3-Minute Poem 
by Tho, 15
New America School

Fear 

I fear pain,
so I release the things
that break my heart

I fear ghosts,
so I release bravery to kill it

I fear monsters,
so I release angels to scare it

I fear hell,
so I release heaven to fight it

I fear crying,
so I release happiness
to stop my tears

I fear darkness,
so I release the light to destroy it

I fear knowledge,
so I release my mind to trap it

I fear death,
so I release my soul to stop it

I fear lies,
so I release truth to control it

I fear being alone,
so I release myself

I fear everything
But I face it, I embrace it

Because if I don't
The greater fear
will take its place

Until I face fear with fear
My demons grow harder to erase
Featured Staff Member: Ashley Cornelius!
by Erica Rutledge 
Ashley was working full-time at the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs when she first discovered Art from Ashes and started an externship with us in October of 2014. Through her dedication and hard work she quickly rose to Director of Programs in April 2015, as she finished her fellowship with the foundation. In her limited time with us, she has increased youth performances, started a successful in-house drop-in workshop, increased contracts sales and been a face for the community.
Read more here...
Dylan Thomas
Serious about transformation? Join our Dylan Thomas Society for committed supporters.
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Serious about tattoos? Come out and support local nonprofits and get your ink on with
All Sacred Foundation!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST or text ARTFROMASHES to 22828

CHECK OUT OUR 2015 REPORT AND SEE WHAT YOU HELPED MAKE HAPPEN!

or you can download the pdf here
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