Something Different, Something Needed, Something New
This past Sunday volunteers put on a little skit to show New Expression Clarkston what it’s like when you aren’t being yourself. Jack, one of the volunteers, walked in and leaned on the wall, playing “too cool” to participate in New Expression.
“What can we do to help Jack be himself?” another volunteer asked. [Read more…] about Group Hug
(Contributed by Jarah Botello)
On January 23rd six New Expression students took the stage at Dining In Denim to present a spoken word piece called “I Am Something New.” Check it out!
This piece was a culmination of several weeks of research, discussion and rehearsing in which students chose a human rights activist from history with whom they connected. The students were challenged to find quotes and historical facts about the activist and to really dig into why they felt particularly drawn to that person.
Malachi Black, 16, chose to research Julian Bond, co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and former president of the Southern Poverty Law Center. “I chose him because he fought for human equality, and I will too. We both believe that everybody is equal, black or white – gay or straight – Muslim or Christian,” Black said.
As the students learned more about each person they studied, they began to see how similar they were to those in history that had made such courageous and positive changes across the world.
The students performance of the spoken word piece was powerful and received a standing ovation – not because every word was articulated and recited perfectly, but because the performers truly respect the legacies of the activists they learned about and believe that they too can stand up against injustice to represent something new in the world.
Like Julian Bond, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yusafzai, and John Lewis, these students are catalysts. Equalizers. Change makers. Freedom Fighters. They are Something New.
Contributed by Jill Johnson, Board Member & Community Volunteer
As a long time board member and volunteer, I have seen this organization consistently evolve. When we were first founded back in 2005 we just knew we wanted to help people. Period. No strings attached. It has taken 10 years to get to where we are now – three robust youth programs thriving in several cities, touching thousands of young lives and still growing!
We recently renamed, rebranded and refreshed our organization. The new names allowed us to tie together our programs for a more streamlined brand. Something New is now comprised of three stellar youth programs: New Expression youth arts, New Way conflict reconciliation training, and New Alternative service learning trips. The recent name change from Freedom Foundation to Something New tells the story of some things that needed to change and others that never will.
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