A practical response to a need in our community

I just want to share with everyone what an amazing experience it has been to work with the girls from our “Get Set For Work” program. One of these amazing times has been our very successful Art Auction. As one of their subjects the girls have to do an Enterprise Project where they come up with a way to make/raise money and give that money to a charity. The girls chose to do an art auction and chose to donate their proceeds to Lifehouse Project. The girls were moved and touched by what Lifehouse does for their pregnant and parenting peers and wanted to do something about homelessness as most of them know how it feels to be without a stable home.

The girls called the auction “Hope for the Homeless”.

Over a few days the girls created some beautiful and artistic pieces of art that reflected themselves and their own uniqueness. We also created a masterpiece called “Hope” that we all contributed too. The girls also planned the Art Auction morning tea and researched Lifehouse Project. They worked in groups of 2 and created their own speeches for the day which were of a very high standard.

The day of the Auction I could not wipe the smile off my face as the girls presented the Art Auction to 20 people, it was as if my own children were standing up there doing speeches I was so proud of them. They were funny, witty, professional and somewhat confident and shy all at the same time. To their amazement all their pieces were sold at great prices and they raised $740 for Lifehouse Project. The most raised in any “Get Set For Work” enterprise project to date!!!!! These were girls who were saying “we can’t paint”!! What a great life lesson for them.

Thank you to all those who supported the girls, it really proved to them that there are many people out there who care and believe in them as they were surrounded by you all that day. It was very moving to see. It just proves once again we must NEVER throw anyone or any piece of art out! You never know what they or the art might accomplish.

Naomi Schilder
SCISCO Career Pathways