Boys & Girls Aid By CATHY LOFFINK
Exercise at recent luncheon fosters connection At our April luncheon we were fortunate to be able to have as our speaker Evan Bailey, the director of Youth Permanency Services. At
LOFFINK one point during his
presentation, he was talking about connectivity with the youth that were in his team’ s care. To demonstrate this, he asked each person at the tables to trace one of their hands on the blank paper provided. Some of us with arthritic hands questioned whether one would be able to distinguish it as such. He assured us that artistry was of no
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consequence. In each finger we were to write what we love to do or enjoy in our lives. Then in the thumb we were asked to write in someone we love. This is an exercise the foster children are asked to do. By doing this, others in the group have an avenue to begin the process of getting to know the children. Or you might say“ connect” with them. A couple of us at the table were discussing this exercise and thought it might be something we could do at home. For example, maybe incorporate it into a grandchild’ s birthday party with their friends.
When the Easter holiday brunch came around with my family, I thought we could do this, with a bit of a twist. Each of us at the table traced a hand and wrote their name at the top of the page. We then passed the drawing to the person to our left. The recipient was to write in the fingers what they think that person loves to do and then, in the thumb, who they love. This was our way of
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seeing what we know about the person whose name was at the top of the page. In concept it seemed easy enough; however in reality it took some thought. Once we were done, we took turns reading them aloud. My 9-year-old grandson was unlucky enough to get my hand. He was very nervous. When he read it out loud, I was delighted with how well he knew me. As we went around the table, what happened when reading each hand was sometimes funny, sometimes warm and fuzzy and at times there was even a hint of embarrassment. Overall, it was a simple little exercise that created conversation, laughter and an idea what others may perceive about us. In other words, it was a connection.
Just as it brought my family together for a short time, imagine how useful and wonderful this can be for an adoptive mom and dad, foster parent or possible new siblings. Not to mention the recognition of value and worth for a child in need of support and caring.
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COURTESY PHOTO
Speaker Evan Bailey, the director of Youth Permanency Services, had the audience write who they love on a drawing of a hand.
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