BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

When crafting makes a community

By Kate Jeong, age 14 | March 1, 2020

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CARING Kate Jeong, an eighth grader at Pin Oak Middle School, started a volunteer group to help connect youth to volunteer opportunities, like this arts and crafts event at Noah’s House. Here, she’s pictured with resident Jerry Cimino.

Kate’s Caring Committee is a program founded to connect youth to community. I collaborated with Noah’s House for an arts and crafts event with intellectually challenged adults. Residents of Noah’s House created collage art incorporating unique materials. The project encouraged residents to pour out their creativity through visual art, but the event came to mean more than just an activity.

During the art-making, there were many difficulties encountered. For example, one resident had had a stroke, which made it difficult for him to cut out materials. Despite the obstacles, not once did I ever see a smile turn upside down; we worked as a team to make the artistic vision happen. As we put pieces together, we talked about silly things we all loved and had in common. That day, I made friends with some of the most patient, kind people I’d ever met.

Additionally, it was awe-inspiring to see what everyone’s artwork looked like at the end. They had started off with similar materials, but came up with a wide variety of ideas. Lots of creative and clever designs were made, and it was absolutely fascinating to see everyone’s out-of-the-box creations.

What I found to be the most special thing about the event were the smiles. Everyone was laughing, forming friendships, and creating. I heard, “I’m using this artwork to decorate my room, so my walls will be covered and bright.” It was heartwarming to know I had initiated a program to spark joy within others.

Making the project happen were 14 amazing students I had met through the Pin Oak Middle School National Junior Society and advanced art class: Weston Benner, Josephine Freeman, Sam Lack, Elroe Mengistie, Jessica De Los Angeles, Ella Pham, Maria Rowsey, Cora Lee, TaShanna Davis, Suria Mehta, Shreyas Sinha, Saanvi Sunkavalli and Chloe Stiefel. They all volunteered and contributed their assets that day. Together as a team, we assisted almost 40 residents with creating beautiful artwork!

Editor’s note: For more on Noah’s House, see “Home Sweet Home” by Cheryl Ursin (December 2019).

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