* Full albums of the 2017 programme will be posted by mid July 2018. Some are included here.
In 2017 we facilitated the JUST BECAUSE FOUNDATION’S (JBF) “Siblings Only Club,” which comprises the siblings of children with pediatric cancer who are part of a support group, and who live in remote areas in Trinidad. Often the focus shifts to the children living with cancer and their siblings are often overlooked at a time when their own emotional needs are great.
We have been providing free services to the JBF for over 4 years on a much simpler level, as a form of Outreach through our mobile art booth at their annual family day and fundraiser. The JBF provides support to children with paediatric cancer and their families – through transport, lodging etc when they need medical treatment, as well as support systems for the entire family.
Summer Heroes is a social enterprise operating since 2012, offering free professional creative services to children and young people from underserved communities. Funds and in-kind donations are sought for our annual programme, as well as our ongoing outreach activities and is part supported by Trinidad Home Studio Ltd. Both are initiatives formed by artist Jaime Lee Loy.
Each year SUMMER HEROES (SH) selects a group of children to work with, and the recipients are typically children who have been nominated for our ‘art as self-therapy’ programme. Through our unique curriculum we promote self-esteem, social responsibility, leadership and creativity as a tool for confronting adversity.
SUMMER HEROES hires and works with a network of professionals and artists (including an art therapist) for it’s various activities, and although we designed our own curriculum, we tailor it each year to suit the unique needs of our working group. Please see below for the outline of the 2017 Workshop.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Date: July 24th to 28th 2017 (intense full day camp 10am to 3pm)
Number of child participants: 15
Selected Group: ‘Siblings Only Club’ from the Just Because Foundation
Ages: 6 to 10, also accommodating a participant aged 4 and 2 at ages 15.
Location: Medulla Art Gallery, WoodBrook
Cost paid by our invitees: FREE including meals
Director/Artist and Project Lead: Jaime Lee Loy
Visiting Licensed Art Therapist and Psychotherapist: Sian MacLean
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF TYPICAL CURRICULUM
The workshop incorporates character development, creative activities, art therapy exercises (psychology focus), and learning, as well as a fun activity that is in the arts but not related to the curriculum – for example, stilt walking, dance, drama – all towards a more holistic approach to the camp and experience.
Over the last 5 years we have worked with over 40 professionals and organizations collectively.
Some of the core activities generally include creating safe spaces (mixed media art therapy exercise), introduction to drawing and illustration, with a visit from graphic and cartoon artists in creating their superhero, creating protective devices with clay (talismans – think Green Lantern’s ring), learning to make paper and creating cards for siblings, papier mache and designing masks that reveal inner feelings, painting and collage, visits from a local NGO to introduce social responsibility, working with a writer to craft their own superhero story – and more.
SUMMER HEROES documents and records artwork but the children/participants all keep their creations and it remains their physical property.
Visiting Professionals that conducted sessions in 2017
Sian MacLean – Art Therapist
Muhammed Muwakil – Freetown Collective
Wendell Manwarren – 3 Canal
Selvyn Lewis – The Barcam
Shane Young Sing – Caricature Artist
Christopher Riley – Three Quarter Comics – Cartoon Artist
Giselle Mendez – The Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago VCTT – Speaker
Jean Claude Cournand – 2 Cents Movement Spoken Word Poet – Speaker
NGC Bocas Lit Fest – Facilitators for writing session
The Sage Path – Mindfulness and Yoga with Shana Bhajan and
ELLE NYTT – Dance and Drama with Adrian Daniel and Karian Forde
Susan Thomas – Making Paper
Gemma Facinelli– Music and Movement
* Field Trip to the Cosplay Parade at Victoria Square
Volunteers – OUR VERY SPECIAL HEROES
A very heartfelt THANK YOU to our volunteer heroes.
This programme is conceptualized, administrated and implemented by Jaime Lee Loy with no staff, committee or external administration. Therefore, without the interest and commitment of the people who contribute their time on actual workshop dates to provide much needed hands on support, this programme would not exist. They have put in hours, love and other contributions that are valuable and truly appreciated.
Petra Mc Leod – Lead Volunteer, Camera assistance
Chantal Parris
Cheyenne Goberdhan
Saieshwari Singh
Karishma Lalla
Christopher Jones
Raihana Khan
Aurelia Mendez
Shane Lee Loy – Camera and Video Assistance
Shawn Chong Ashing – Camera and Video Assistance
Financial Sponsors
Recognition for our financial sponsors and private donators! We could not hire professionals and pay for expenses without you. THANK YOU for believing in us!
Atlantic
Londsdale Saatchi and Saatchi
Rentokil Initial
Copos Credit Union
Saltwater Studios
Private Donations
The GWO Team
Yogisharam Bassie
Khevan Joseph
Lauralee Laquis
Andre Chong Ashing
Shivani Celestin
Theodore Celestin
Norvan Fullerton
Candice Lee Kim
Damian Gill
In-Kind Sponsors
THANK YOU to our In-Kind sponsors. We often do not seek exorbitant funding, and our in-kind donations really ensure that we acquire everything we need on limited funds. From materials, meals to chairs and tables and discounts on venues etc. We salute you!
BOSS
Thomas and Sons Ltd
Qualitech Machining Services Ltd
Premier 1 Party Rentals
Signwave
Blue Waters
Wrapworks
Irie Bites
Mario’s Pizza
Baby Cakes
Just a Bite
Special Thanks
Medulla Art Gallery
The Just Because Foundation
The Genesis Foundation
Erin Julien
Neval Seuinarine
and all the individuals who in different ways assisted and supported this project