Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing an event for the You Can You Will Foundation in Cleveland. Every event we photograph is a unique experience with different purposes, topics, and people. One of the reasons I love photographing events like this one is because we are exposed to new information and there is always something to be learned.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got there, at least as far as subject matter goes. Of course, we’re always prepared with our gear and equipment - we’re event photographers after all! The event was inspiring and heartwarming to say the least. I had the opportunity to watch children be exposed to yoga, breathing exercises, boxing, dance, and even money management. The children were engaged, having fun, and some were really trying their best at yoga (and trust me, I know that’s not easy!). Exposing children to these mindfulness activities is so powerful and it is something I wish I would have learned earlier in life. Even if they didn’t begin practicing daily meditation that day, it is a valuable tool they now have in their toolbox thanks to the You Can You Will Foundation.
The school was Lincoln West of Global Studies on W30th in Cleveland. Bringing these two together made for a joyful, positive day!
What is Lincoln West School of Global Studies about? The students participate in curricular-based learning and service expeditions that includes local, out of state, and out of country travel. Students receive personalized instruction utilizing smart technology to promote international understanding and diversity of thought, ensuring students are prepared for careers in a global economy. Students are supported through partnerships with domestic and international organizations and schools around the world, as well as internship, job, and travel opportunities.
Wow, that sounds intense! These practices will definitely come in handy!
SOUL: We find great importance in guiding children to persevere when obstacles arise in life such as bullies, failed grades, mistakes, trauma, disappointments and sadness. Such inner resilience will also goad them on to pursue dreams that will manifest a self-empowered and full life. The act of empowering children is a process of guiding them to feel and believe that they are powerful as well as creating optimum conditions that mirror back to them these concepts.
We have been providing this program to various schools, after school programs, and summer programs with various community organizations such as Lincoln West School of Global Studies, Greater Collinwood Development Corporation’s Summer Kids Program, University School’s REACH program, International Leadership Group, and more. These programs are free for each school and organization that we serve. We are fully funded through grants, corporate donations, and individual donations so that these programs are cost-free to the students and teachers we work with.
Here are the amazing instructors that helped make this all possible!
Workshop - Yoga with Gary Dacanay who is a Certified Baptiste Yoga Instructor, serving the Cleveland community at Cleveland Public Schools and family recreation centers. www.garydacanay.com
Workshop: "Plant your micro-greens" with Tanisha Velez who showed the students how to grow micro-greens for amazing dishes. www.clevelandfresh.com
Workshop: The new currency "Trades" with Ryan Eubank. Repeatedly told no in his early career has inspired him to mentor youth and young adults in welding. He shared the story of his career path including being a welding instructor at local high schools and an instructor at Lakeland Community College. Reubank@weldunited.com
Workshop: "Mindfulness Matters" with Ericka Szabo - In this workshop students will gain a variety of resourceful mindfulness tools that they will be able to use in their everyday lives to assist them in keeping them living in the present moment as often as possible. www.healthroughhabit.com www.elevatemindandbody.com
Workshop: "Boxing" with the Jamey Mixson who is a certified personal trainer. He opened No fat birthdays to take the local fitness community to the next level. www.nofatbirthdays.com
Workshop: "Yoga" with Marni Task who is a certified Jivamukti yoga teacher and also an Anusara Inspired teacher. www.marnitask.com
Workshop: "Be a Hero - Stop a Bully" with Morris Eason, a professional boxer, trainer & anti-bullying speaker. Through increase self-esteem and confidence, not only do kids learn to stand up for themselves, they also have the courage to speak up and stop others from bullying. That's how they become a HERO! www.morriseason.com
Workshop: "Yoga" with Jaimee Eiflander. Her classes always include a meditation aspect, teaching from an intuitive space that allows her to read the room and give each student what they need in the present moment. jeiflander@gmail.com
Workshop: "Hip Hop with DD" with De'Varian Norris - Students learned a brief history of hip hop dance and culture. They experienced how hip hop dance inspires. www.sebarian.onuniverse.com
Workshop: "Reality Day" Steve Harmon and Shana Hindley from Huntington Bank. Students will learn about financial literacy. They will have the opportunity to practice budgeting and come to a better understanding about needs vs wants. www.huntington.com
Workshop: "Yoga" with Halle Trapp who specializes in leading fun and educational kids yoga classes for all ages. www.happymekidsyoga.com
Workshop:"Understanding the Ego" with Dana Chaisson. Students learn awareness about that inner voice. Focusing on how to make sense of it as it applies to thoughts and emotions for mental health, self-love and clarity. yogalove11@gmail.com
How can YOU support YOU CAN YOU WILL? There are many ways!
This is a grassroots effort with 90% of all donations going to our programs over the past six years. Reach out to us and sign up to be a volunteer.If you have experience and would like to know more about being a community partner to help teach in schools and corporations let us know!More and more schools and organizations are reaching out and we want to support them at no cost. We are a 501c3 and over 90% of our donations go directly towards funding our community programs. Donations are greatly appreciated.
Andrew Holland - Executive Director - andyclefit@gmail.com
Thank you for letting me be a part of this amazing event!
Awesome right? Thoughts? Comment below :)
4 Comments
Jan 10, 2023, 1:48:37 PM
Cheryl Debono - You Can You Will Foundation is enhancing students in such a positive way! I enjoyed being a part of it, and would love to continue in the future. Thank you, keep up the great work!
Jan 10, 2023, 9:52:10 AM
Andrew Holland - The photographs are wonderful and exactly what we need. You were able to capture the students involvement with our community partners, which is not an easy task given the vulnerability that happens during some of the workshops. Thank you for the wonderful article and sharing what the You Can You Will Foundation is doing in the community!
Jan 8, 2023, 12:51:53 PM
Cheryl Debono - Thank you Tera!
Jan 8, 2023, 9:32:12 AM
Tera - So much great information and the photos capture the day beautifully!! Thank you for sharing!