Alt Chicago

Photo Credit: Jasmine

We did it again! We went on our second field trip with our 10 mentees! This past Saturday we took a trip to the city to learn how to build sustainable waste bins. Also, our mentees learned about reducing waste and having more sustainable options. Did you know that black and brown communities have fewer garbage bins throughout their town than white communities do? Alt Chicago is a black-owned, non-profit led by Jordan and Jon who specialize in building these waste bins out of wood from old pallets, this way everything is being reused and there is less waste. We cannot wait to partner with even more amazing non-profits and organizations like this one! Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @thefirehousedream to see more behind the scenes from our mentorship.

Photo Credit: Jasmine

Spoken Word

Photo Credit: Mya Rose

Our mentees learned about writing and theatre from Clarybelle for the second half of Saturday’s workshop. They began with some exercises that are done before a show, like “I am, I like, I do”, walking around the space at different speeds, mirroring a partner, and heads up, heads down. The goal of these particular exercises is to connect and work as a team collectively. Once they were connected, the mentees starting working on short pieces of writing about objects around the room to practice being descriptive and depth, as well as stories about moments in their lives that are significant. Clarybelle also taught them that simply writing something down can help it to feel more real or can help to release it from their thoughts. The mentees had a lot of fun interacting and learning new things during this workshop! We can’t wait to see Clarybelle again!

Photo Credit: Mya Rose

Independent Projects

Photo Credit: Mya Rose

On Monday, our mentees split up into groups to work on their brands. We have 4 mentees who want to start things like clothing brands, baking businesses, stickers, merch, etc. We even had Dakota from Funny Bunny Stickers come down to explain how she creates her own content on an iPad to help with another group. Everyone made a lot of progress in their business and had a lot of fun interacting with one another to get new ideas! We can’t wait to see where they take their exciting ideas and the awesome businesses they will create!

Photo Credit: Mya Rose

Wordmark & Intro To Illustrator

Photo Credit: Mariah

Today, our mentees got a lesson from Carlos Arteaga about wordmarking and Adobe Illustrator. They got to learn about different programs to make logos and the basics in adobe illustrator, like how to clean edges on a logo. The mentee used different shapes to practice these things. They also learned the differences of fonts and styles of wording that evoke different feelings about a certain brand. Next, the mentees got a chance to create their own logo with their own brand or name to put their newfound skill to practice.

Photo Credit: Mya Rose and Mariah

Maywoodian Families | Hurt Family

Photo Credit: Suha Kassar

How long have you lived in Maywood?: 

42 years

What are you loving about Maywood?: 

I love the block that I live on because it's quiet and I have neighbors that have lived on this block my entire life.

Favorite memory in Maywood?: 

I remember playing double dutch sun up to sun down and riding bikes with my sister and friends.

What opportunities has Maywood brought to your family?: 

This is my childhood home where my mom and dad brought me from Panama City Florida at 6 months old. I am very blessed to have lived in one house my entire life. This community has allowed me and my family to get a good education for grade and high school as well as taught me and my sister dance. We have lifelong friends in the community as well.

What hopes do you have for your Maywood community?: 

I hope that this community can get back to what it used to be, which is a peaceful place that is great for raising children.

What is something that your family enjoys doing together?: 

We enjoy hanging out at the neighboring movie theatre, as well as going to the Maywood library. We love to have barbeques in the back yard with friends and family just enjoying each others company.

Photo Credit: Suha Kassar, Mya Frank, Cristal Andrade, Jasmyn Scavella