Connect is our dance, music, art and yoga program. These forms of expression can be used with all populations and with individuals, couples, families, or groups.
Expression provides a way for our youth participants to speak their minds and share their most inner thoughts. Each week the participants will be separated into two groups to share.
HARAKATI (means “Movement” in Swahili). Sports and physical exercise are a good way to learn discipline, respect, social interactions, build self-esteem, and aid in academic success.
Volunteerism is a part of the healing process for our participants. At W.A.Y.S. it is a core tenet of our belief that volunteerism is a part of the healing process for our participants.
Our teens learn basic photography skills using professional equipment. We are also excited to be able to partner with various STEM educators to work with our youth participants.
Every summer we take the teenagers on a trip for a service project and for enjoyment. These trips are life changing for our kids because many of them have not been outside of the Midwest.
Tyler benefitted from our goal setting and job preparedness. He now works in sales at Uncle Bill’s Pet Store.
Tyler comes from a family that has a history of mental illness. When Tyler entered into our program at the age of 15 ½ years old, he had the mental capacity of about a 10-year-old. Along with his being behind in cognitive years, he had extreme anger. He had absolutely no coping skills to handle his anger. Simple commands for Tyler were turned into full blown situations.
Chyann went from a sad and insecure girl to a determined and secure young woman.
Chyann is the oldest of six children. She lives at home with her mom. Chyann suffers with depression and anxiety. When she came into our program, she had low self esteem and extreme anger issues. Chyann does not have a relationship with her father at all. Although we have reached out to her father to try and broker a relationship between the two he has refused. This broken relationship with her father has caused Chyann not to trust easily.
