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A Place to Be(ad) Me, is a unique, enriching, jewelry making course incorporated in pre-existing art youth programs throughout the US.

A Place to Be(ad) Me is a six week rudimentary jewelry making course that encourages confidence and creativity in children ages 7 to 12 who have experienced the burden and stressors of a tumultuous home life.

Our program, while geared towards younger minds and skill sets, is not just another arts and crafts class. What makes our art therapy 501(c)(3) unique is that our program is taught and guided by social workers who understand the trauma children have experienced in domestic environments that aren’t ideal. They listen to the children express themselves in a group, and that discourse serves as a sounding board for themselves and their peers, to relate and create, while color coordinating bead colors to their feelings.

“A Place to Be(ad) Me is a place where children can feel unencumbered, a sense of freedom, improved autonomy, and develop clear recognition of worth and esteem while creating for themselves and others.”

—Susan Foster, Founder & Chair

THE CURRICULUM

WEEK 1

LEARNING THE ROPES

Children will receive their own tackle box for beads and materials along with a pair of goggles to keep their eyes safe while working.

WEEK 2

PLANNING A DESIGN

Participants will receive their own sketchbook and set of colored pencils to plot out their own jewelry designs.

WEEK 3

MAKING A BRACELET

Building on the skills from the previous two classes, participants will string together their own bracelet during this class.

WEEK 4

MAKING A NECKLACE

Participants will use beads, string and other findings to create the necklace they designed in week 2.

WEEK 5

MACRAMÉ

Participants will use strings and cord to learn the art of macramé and create a keychain which they can take home.

WEEK 6

MAKING A GIFT

Participants will make a jewelry gift, using the skills they have learned over the past weeks, for their parent, sibling, teacher or another special adult in their lives.