Hope Holiday Updates...

In November we all were able to take a few days off to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends and family.
Here are some highlights of the students' holiday:

"I helped to feed the less fortunate in the day and then went home to have dinner with my family."
Rene Smith

"We had dinner at our house with all the trimmings, my two brothers and their wives were there too."
Darren Petersen

"I enjoyed peace and quite at my parent's house.  I was able to stay there for four days before returning to my group home."
Cathy Acton

"My favorite part of my Thanksgiving was helping my Aunt make the mashed potatoes."
Ben Simendinger

"I liked seeing my relatives that came to my house for dinner.  My Aunt came from South Carolina."
Crystal Serna

"I had a good time with my dad at his house, we cooked dinner together.  I was able to stay overnight at his house before going back to my group home."
Tom Veltman.

We Hope you all had time to enjoy the holiday.  

Etsy Updates for September

Napa Valley Purple Grape Felted Bead Barrettes.

Coastal Pine Green and Red Felted Bead Barrettes.

Hope U Student April makes a wonderful hand model for our wrist warmers. 

Robin's Egg Blue and Spring Green Hand Knit Wrist Warmers.

 
Hope University's very own Etsy shop has been busy!  We have sold 4 items, one pair of wrist warmers and 3 felted wool bead barrettes.  This week in Etsy class we updated some inventory and added another pair of wrist warmers and two new felted wool bead barrettes.  Above are some views of these new items and as you can see our product is selling well.  Now would be a great time to get in some early holiday shopping while our items are in stock!  So be sure to stop by the Hope Handmade Etsy shop to view the entire collection of items to make your selection. All of the proceeds from the sales at Hope Handmade on Etsy go directly to the students and their program. 

Mall Crawl Field Trip

Art on display at the mall.

Fred Mezzo's 'Las Vegas Girls'.

Ben S. with his poetry.

Kim and Cesar in the elevator.

Kim M. in front of Hope U artwork on display at the mall.

Rene S. in front of Hope U artwork on display at the mall.

Christie C. making a purchase at the mall.

Hope U students taking in the sights at the mall.

After the Hope University students performed at the Westfield Mall in Santa Ana there was an art show that remained for all to view.  One of the Hope U students' favorite field trips of the year is the one to the mall to view the art.  We all love going out into the community and enjoying a day of walking about, window shopping and eating lunch in the food court.
Several Hope University students had their artwork chosen to go on the traveling exhibit.  Crystal Serna, Miguel Aldaz, Sharon Mauck, Tanette Tuttle, Chris Friedman and Lori Slikker will all have art 'on the move' with the traveling exhibit.
All of the students love going to the mall.  Some of their favorite things to do and see are:
"My favorite thing at the mall was seeing my artwork on display."
Fred Mezzo
"Seeing my Hope University friends artwork hanging in the mall.
Tammy Grant
"I liked seeing the puppies in the puppy store!"
Tanette Tuttle  (This was several students favorite activity too).
"Walking around the mall and enjoying the sights.

Margaret Kelley
"Going to the food court!"
Lori Slikker

Spending time in the community and participating in daily life activities are just some of the things Hope University provides for their students.  The staff's favorite thing about going to the mall was seeing how much fun the students had!

Mural Mosaic

Sharon M. working on the mosaic.

Darren P. enjoying the view.

Fred M. showing hands on artistry.

Darren P. Fred M. and Sharon M. all very proud of their work.

Entrance way mural in progress at Integrity House.

Earlier in this blog we showed you photos of the mural going in at Integrity House in Santa Ana California.  Well, work has not stopped on this amazing project.  Now the students have finished the painting phase and have moved on to the mosaic addition.  All of the artwork used in the mural was student and Integrity House consumer generated.  This has been a wonderful collaboration of efforts from both facilities as well as countless volunteer hours.  Here are two blog posts, one showing the mural's painting phase and the other is of only some of the volunteers who have given so much of their time in this project.  We are hoping to have the mural completed by the summer of 2011.  There will be a grand unveiling and reception to honor this artistic achievement. 
The students are so excited about the mural, seeing their artwork on this large of a scale is so validating.