Go Slow

Four HALO Center boys focus on developing the skills HALO Center Woodworking Host, Martin Ratermann, has been teaching them for months. The boys spent two full days over Christmas break working with Martin practicing techniques to use the chisel, ban saw, walnut plugs, block planes, sanding, finishing, sketching and more.

Over the course of their two day camp, the boys worked on a number of different projects.

Seeing their patience and focus pay off, they finished a nightstand they had been working on for over two months. 

The boys were over-whelmed with excitement when they got to design their own small, afternoon projects. 

Step by step, slowly perfecting their music stand. 

Fixing some broken HALO Center chairs.

After completing some sketches for future projects, one boy sketched the workbench.

Martin teaches woodworking to these boys on the 2^nd Saturday of each month. As the boys get more advanced, they could benefit from more one-on-one time. If you have a woodworking, design or architecture background or would like to help Martin and the boys out, please contact chelseaherzberg@haloworldwide.org to learn more about volunteering with our Woodworking Program.

Deck the halls...

... with handmade candles. Fa la la la la - la la la laaaa.

Elves have taken over The HALO Center! During the past two week, HALO Center youth have gotten into the giving spirit by using their creative juices to make gifts for the residents of Garden Terrace nursing home. Below is a sneak peek into the beautiful work of our little elves. To see all our holiday pictures, click here.

 Youth made these candles out of palm wax, holiday candies and gel wax. 

They were given to the residents of Garden Terrace nursing home as gifts.

 Cards, that were also handmade, out of construction paper, colored pencils and scrap material.

 Making picture frames with a wonderful Garden Terrace resident.

 Santa, and his little HALO helper, directing the group in a round of Jingle Bells.

Mmmm... this gingerbread house looks quite delicious!

Share your passion!

Interested in giving back during the holiday season? We have a few different ways to connect with HALO Center youth:

•  Saturday, December 17th, 1:30-3:30 pm at Garden Terrace Nursing Home in Overland Park - with Niles Home for Children youth -Holiday celebration with Garden Terrace residents (youth and resident craft, music therapy, youth give handmade gifts and cards to residents, Santa and his elves come to give gifts to youth)

•  Tuesday, December 27th - 9am-4pm at The Center - with Niles Home for Children youth - All day woodworking workshop

•  Thursday, December 29th - 9am-4pm at The Center - with Niles Home for Children youth - All day woodworking workshop

We are also looking to finalize our January workshop calendar. Teaching art, a skill or a passion is an incredible way to help KC youth prepare for their futures. Email chelseaherzberg@haloworldwide.org to sign up for one of the following dates:

•  Tuesdays - January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 - 6-7 pm with 10 teenagers from reStart Youth Emergency Shelter

•  Fridays - January 6, 13, 20 , 27 - 6-8 pm with around 6 teenagers from Salvation Army's Children's Shelter

•  Saturday - January 28 - 12-2 pm with around 10 pre-teens from Niles Home for Children

Share your love and joy this holiday season; the young lives of Kansas City will be forever grateful!