In The Center, in the community, throughout the world...

This blog title represents where the many different groups of Kansas City youth have given back this month through The HALO Center. Check out all the photos here.

All youth that participate in The HALO Learning Center are given the opportunity to share a bit of themselves, for others to enjoy, on our Mural Wall.

Ryan shared his beautifully written poem with us. Please enjoy his talent: 

Life turns to a beginning but death defies the end.

During time in life, you must remember to live to the fullest.

Power and money are the greed of man and death;

but, love, kindness and joy will never suffer pain and disgrace,

and shall never parish from the lives of those that care for others.

I am the shield and sword of those that stand close to me.

HALO Center Volunteer Magie Hogan helped to organize a group of about 15 teens from Young Volunteer Corps (YVC) who gave up their Monday out of school, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to share their love with HALO Center youth. They worked diligently all afternoon to create beautiful picture frames for youth at reStart’s Family Shelter. Check out our January album to see close ups of individual frames.

HALO Center Volunteer Tiffane Masimbi (along with her great team of Erica Johnson and Tanner Edwards) are currently working with all HALO Center partnering agencies on a six-month project to create a huge quilt to be displayed throughout the community. Above, youth from Salvation Army’s Children’s Shelter and the girls work together to create a star out of peace signs.

One of our favorite projects in The HALO Center, and the first project in our DREAM Journals, is to create a DREAM Page that represents your dreams for your future. Above we feature Constance's lovely dream – to get all people off the streets and for all races to live together in peace.

HALO Center youth from Niles worked together with Natalie Cantrell and Anna Jobe to make soap for youth living in HALO supported orphanage in Mexico. Inside the soap, youth left little gifts: stickers, rings, stretchy frogs and finger puppets.  They also made Valentine’s to be sent with the soap that were translated into Spanish.

If you have ever been into The Center on a cool afternoon, you may have noticed that the back of a chair is the best place we have to hang your coat. That was until woodworking students from Niles and Martin Ratermann built one for The Center. Youth from Salvation Army’s Children’s Shelter painted the piece. A huge thank you to all involved – now we have a great place to hang our belongings!

Sydney created a piece to help brighten HALO Center Director, Chelsea Herzberg’s day. Stop by The HALO Center to see Sydney's work – it will truly brighten your day as well.