First, HALO youth learned about perseverance and how to think more positively about the future. They discussed the law of attraction and the idea of manifestation through vision boards, learning that they are more likely to attract the things they focus on.
If they place more emphasis on negativity and bad experiences, they are more likely to notice them. However, if they focus more on positive things and their goals, they will open themselves up more to creating the lives and futures they envision.
HALO youth wrote letters to their past selves, reflecting on those negative experiences and hardships that are a part of their stories and thanking them for persevering, working continuously, and growing.
HALO youth also wrote letters to their future selves, taking the time to think about specific goals they wish to achieve and positive things and experiences they want to manifest. Later, using collages, craft materials, markers, crayons, and glitter, they created vision boards that served as visual representations of their goals and manifestations.
The following "CreateYOU" lesson taught HALO youth about respect and how they can show it to themselves, others, and their surroundings.
Using worksheet outlines, HALO youth wrote down qualities they liked or respected about themselves and shared them with everyone else.
HALO youth were then given the opportunity to close out the program by taking on whatever activity they found most comfortable, be it art or creative writing, while engaging in conversation.
Discussions varied between life updates, childhood stories, dreams for the future, and plans. The program was a great way to help provide HALO youth therapeutic art and life skills!
