Celebrating Our Volunteers

The Hand Bells Perform.

Kim M. on keyboard and Dena S. singing.

A dramatic moment for Cindy H. and Jason R.

Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn, speak about volunteering.

Nick Latimer, board member and volunteer.

Matt Sauer, Hope University Board President.

Michelle E., Carol R. and Mikki D. in a drama performance.

Waiting to go on stage.

On Thursday, February 24th, Hope University honored last year's volunteers with a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration.
The Hi-Hopes performed, the Hand Bells and Chimes were rung, the Choir, Glee and Ensemble classes and the Drama class performed.  We recognized our volunteers with a gift and many 'thank yous'.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn spoke to us about helping at the mural, Nick Latimer, a board member, told us of the fun he is having here as a volunteer and the board president, Matt Sauer, spoke about his experiences with our program. 
We do appreciate our many volunteers and hope to see many more in 2011.
Thank You Volunteers!

A Puppet Show!

Frank L. (Down's Syndrome) with puppet.

Frank L. and assistant Miguel A. (Down's Syndrome) on stage with puppet.

Gary A. (Prader Willi) smiling as he enjoys the puppet show.

Cooperative behavior can get you good rewards as Frank has found out.  He has a card in his wallet for the instructors to sign after each class, when his card is full he gets to put on a puppet show.  Well, today was the day for Frank's special show.  He brought his puppet, some fun music and had some help from the student audience to help his show along.  Frank looks so happy as he performs for us and enjoys his time on the stage.  The students also win as they have some time to relax and enjoy the show.  As we strive for acceptance and joy here at Hope University, everyone benefits. 
"Frank's puppet shows are always funny."
Lori S.
"I liked having my picture taken with my two best friends."
Tanette T.
"I liked it!"
Ana P.
"I laughed a lot."
Katie F.

Lori S. , Tanette T. and Katie F. enjoying the puppet show.

Frank certainly has support from his fellow students

Hearts and Smiles

Dena's Smile.

Christie's Smile.

Margaret and Music Therapist Minko's Smiles.

Mikki and Howard's Smiles

Kimmie's Smile

Chris' Smile.

Jenny and Jason's Smile.

Sharon's Smile.

On Monday, February 14th Hope University had a Valentine’s Day party and dance.  The students spent the morning decorating the hall with paper chains and colored hearts.  After lunch the party began.  There was dancing, fun and frolic sweetened by two beautiful Valentine’s day cakes provided by student Katie Foote’s family.  We had two student DJ’s, Tom V.and Darren P.  Tom brought his own equipment and music to thrill the crowd and Darren assisted in music choices and announcements.   They really added that special spark to the party! 
Some student highlights of the day:
“I loved seeing Katie’s mom and brother.”
Tanette T.
“Learning how to be a DJ.”
Darren P.
“Eating Valentine’s Day cake!”
Katie F.
“Making Valentines for my friends and decorating the hall.”
Margaret K.

We all hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day too.

Medium Diversity

Hope University's curriculum is art centered.  We offer many different ways to learn with and through the arts.  We offer several music classes, poetry and writing along with visual arts such as drawing, painting, printmaking and fiber art.
Some of the students favorites are:
"I like to do mosaics and sculpture."  Fred M.
"Using the knitting loom." Ana P.
"Designing products for us to make and sell in our Boutique." Margaret K.
"Drawing and carving linoleum block prints."  Tanette T.
"Knitting and creating things with yarn, like purses and products for our Boutique." Lori Slikker.
"Performing on stage, doing drama and learning how to play the drums. " Chris F.

Darren in the cabin of his helicopter sculpture.

The helicopter sculpture.

Darren explaining how things work in his interactive helicopter sculpture

Here we have some photos of  Hope U student, Darren P.  He is showing us his large sculpture of a helicopter.  Darren's favorite medium is cardboard and masking tape.  He creates his large sculptures over a wooden frame and includes electronics.  He likes to do the wiring and circuits so he can see things light up and move.  Darren has created many sculptures, one being the 'Robot' which we use in the 'Beau Monde Float' performances.  Darren's abilities are explored here at Hope U. with visual art as well as the written word.  He has written several poems, including 'Cleaning up the Drive-Thru at Taco Bell' featured in the 'Very Special Arts' exhibition and the CORE 6 show.

It was 'Comin' Up Christmastime'!

Terry C. (Downs Syndrome) Margaret K. Melanie V.(Downs Syndrome) and Miguel A.(Downs Syndrome)  play the bells.

Margaret K, Chris F.(Williams Syndrome)  Jason R. and Lori R.(Williams Syndrome) dance with snow branches.

Beautiful Crystal S.(Downs Syndrome)  in a graceful dance.

Melanie V.  Marvin C. Frank L. Tanette T. and Darren C. (all with Downs Syndrome) dance and play in the 'inflatable band'.

Fred M. greets the audience in front of Hope U's choir and drama.

Margaret K. Mikki D. Dena S. (CP) April R. (Hydroencephally)  and Cathy A. (PKU) sing with the choir.

Chris F.(Williams Syndrome)  Jim L.(Autism)  Jason R. Tom V. (Fragile X) and Paul K.(Autism) sing with the choir.

'Angels' by student Miguel A.(Downs Syndrome) hung over the stage.

The students of Hope University performed beautifully at their annual Holiday program titled 'Comin' Up Christmastime'.  There was square dancing and sign language, poetry, bells and so much more.  Every student had a part in this beautifully performed show.  There are DVD's of the show available if you would like one, please call the school (714) 778-4440 to get your copy.  The students did an amazing job and fun was had by all.  We had our famous boutique of handmade items produced by the students in the lobby of the theater and sales were brisk.  The talent shown by this population is inspiring and must be seen to be believed.
Some of the highlights of the show were the bell choir playing traditional holiday music.  The dance class performing a magical snow scene and the drama classes wonderful addition of holiday humor!  If you would be interested in attending this years (2011) show or any other of our performances, please call us for more information.

At The Laundromat

Dena (Cerebral Palsy)  loads the washer.

Mikki  takes clean laundry out of the washer.

Mikki gets ready to add wet laundry to the dryer.

Margaret  makes good use of her time by knitting while the laundry washes.

Life skills class takes the dirty laundry to the laundromat.  We go every Thursday to wash our clean up towels. We also launder some of our performance outfits and bell table covers.  The laundromat  is nearby and a great experience for the students to learn how to wash clothes, operate the washers and dryers as well as navigate in a a public facility.  Life skills are often overlooked with this population and with classes like this they can feel empowered and confident that they know how to take care of different aspects of their own care.  They learn how to set the washer, measure detergent, load the washer and use the 'money card' to activate the machine.  Then, after the washer is finished they unload it and move the wet laundry to the dryers where they reload the laundry into the dryer and set it to dry.  Lastly they unload the dryer and take the clean laundry to the tables, fold it and pack it to go back to Hope.  While learning how to do laundry they also must navigate the laundromat space and be appropriate with the other patrons using the facility.  The students are enjoying the laundromat experience, feeling more independent and being out in the community.

New Additions 'Felt' in Hope U's Boutique

We have some new additions to our Hope University Boutique inventory.  They are beautiful felt earrings and necklaces made by the students in Lisa's Felting Class.  There are wonderful colors and textures in these unique pieces of wearable art.  Here we have some photos of hand felted earrings.  Look forward to photographs of the class making felt and perhaps even wearing felt.  These and so many more items will be featured at our boutique on the night of the Christmas Program, information to the left in the 'Upcoming Events' box.  Don't forget the boutique opens early at 5:00pm before the show.  So be sure to get there early for the best selection.  These amazing pieces are not to be missed and will sell out fast! Get your own piece one of a kind wearable felt art, exclusively available at the Hope University Boutique.  If you are interested in any of these pieces and would like to purchase them before the show, you can call us at (714) 778-4440 to inquire.