Week 5 of EPA TMP was an eventful week, both fulfilling and saddening. With the loss of a good friend in a local shooting teens were grateful of the Yoga, Breathing and Meditation Practices that helped them cope with their loss. As a staff we were also glad that we chose actual practices rather than curriculum in order to aid the teens in understanding and achieving inner peace. Here are a few words from Co-Director, Olatunde Sobomehin in regards to our closing week of research:

Today was our closing day of research in East Palo Alto, and with the eventful week of Regional and Inner Peace, including Structured Academic Controversy, Yoga practice, Project Happiness and Breathing and Meditation practices, I felt like we ended it the way we should.  It was a great suggestion by Mr. C and a wonderful challenge by Fred (Just Be Cool.) to wrap up Inner Peace with what it means to us and to have the young people share.  Frankly, I think this is the most important element. If we can facilitate something where the young people can find peace within themselves, find the inner courage to tackle obstacles and challenges, and be themselves, it will have such lasting impact and make the change that we seek.  So today, we spent the last 30-40 minutes sharing out some very personal observations of individual choices, peace – especially in the midst of our friends, community and “worlds.” With Paris Meacham being shot on Wednesday (Paris was an 18 year old young person in EPA and friend to many of the teens), the talk about peace was even more relevant.  What came out in the circle wasn’t everything, but it included thoughts from teens who were involved in gangs but decided to give it up after losing a friend.   One other TMA stayed after to share stories of the family pressure to get involved with gangs and the street life and how and why they chose to do otherwise.  We all will continue to support his efforts. Other teens shared their thoughts and even those who didn’t share, their silence and attention confirmed their thoughts.  I am thankful we gave them this opportunity to think about everything we have done.

All in all, another wonderful day that just confirms that MMAP – and the MMAP staff – is helping to shape positive lives.

PEACE!!

Olatunde

After Palo Alto Daily News Photographer,  Konstandinos Goumenidis, left the scene of the shooting he came to meet us at the City Hall to report on something that does not happen very often, especially in the city of East Palo Alto. Teens practicing Yoga:

Stretch & sketch

Carla Hernandez, 17, of East Palo Alto, participates in a yoga class on Wednesday at East Palo Alto City Hall as part of a mural project. The Teen Mural Program, the flagship program of the Mural Music and Arts Project in East Palo Alto, is in phase one of this summer’s mural project themed “envisioning peace.” Phase two of the project starts July 29, when members will start prepping and painting the mural on their new building on Euclid Avenue.

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Konstandinos Goumenidis / Daily News

All in all it was a great week for the TMA’s and I’d say they finished up pretty strong. Next week they will begin their design workshop and be one step closer in finishing this summers mural entitled “Envisioning Peace.”

With the last few days of research winding down and the design workshop around the corner Teens in week 3 of TMP SF were able to bring the topic of peace to a more relative framework. For regional peace, they interviewed Retired Oakland Police Department Sergeant Ray Petty and engaged in a Structured Acadamic Controversy (SAC) surrounding community policing and the effectiveness of police in peace keeping efforts. For their inner peace segment they spoke with Rolandor Sandor and Project Happiness and were introduced to the “Just be Cool” campaign and the new definition of “Cool.” This was an effort to encourage teens to control their emotions and think before acting. Before being introduced to the design workshop coming up next week, teens were able to practice turning ideas into images while designing their own logo that represents their own personal ideals. This was a a very productive workshop that allowed the teens to express themselves to their peers.

SF Teens Design Their Logos

On Thursday, teens were given an opportunity to meet with Orthopedic Surgeon and MMAP Co-Founder Adam Warren to discuss how he must achieve inner peace in his daily work. This discussion followed their final inner peace workshop where teens realized that if they “keep a positive attitude about life and contribute to a world of peace, unity and progress” they would be considered “Cool.” They realized that they had the power to influence peace in the world by keeping their cool and finding peace within. Dr. Warren was able to confirm the findings by referencing examples from his daily work. As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Warren is faced with issues everyday that require him to remain calm and think with a cool head.

SF Teens meet with MMAP Co-Founder Adam Warren

The teens were fully engaged in this conversation as they were able to ask questions and get answers that helped them to see the larger picture. This conversation along with the days workshops moved staff and youth to understand what it takes to achieve inner peace and how it manifests into peace in the world. Special thanks to Project Happiness, the “Just Be Cool” campaign and Dr. Adam Warren for his commitment to MMAP and the success of our youth.

Posing for PEACE: TMP SF with Dr. Adam Warren

In the second week of our San Francisco ‘09 Teen Mural Program the arts were in full effect as Teen Mural Assistants (TMA’s) really began to come out of their shells in true expression. Although, we are still in our 2nd week of the research phase, TMA’s are showing their eagerness to get to the wall and share the findings of their research. This group of Teens, who had no idea what  they were getting themselves into, is now showing signs of respect for the arts, respect for their staff and most importantly respect for and appreciation of their fellow TMA’s.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBNk7_4BLLQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

In this art exercise, teens were givin the opportunity to create four different pieces using four different techniques. After completing their pieces Teen Artists were told to choose their favorite piece and share out why the chose that particular piece of artwork. Rather than select their own art, TMA’s all selected works done by someone other than themselves. Youth and Staff alike were highly impressed by the talent that was displayed on Tuesday and saw the beauty in the true expression of self amongst this diverse group of TMA’s.

One TMA who was exceptionally praised was the talented Mimi (last in video below) who used her artwork to share her Culture and commitment to PEACE. Mimi, a high school graduate and first year college student of Filipino descent is fully engaged in this summers research topic and grateful of her opportunity to share her talents, express herself and pay respect to her ancestors.

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