NEWS

Sheryl VanderPol 8/30/23 Sheryl VanderPol 8/30/23

Celebrating the completion of our 6-week summer I AM-Mosaic project!

As a part of the 2023 POPLI (Power of People Leadership Institute) Youth Summer Enrichment Program, middle and high school youth were a part of this restoration and rebuilding project.

I AM-Mosaic is a mural project, in which we use the universal language of ART and CREATIVITY to connect with our community in a unique and positive way. We uncovered it’s long history, what happened during our almost-three-year break, and talked about how THIS generation will rebuild our future.

This all began in 2010, and had been expanding with various groups ever since (timeline below) UNTIL - 2020 through 2022, when the mural that was on display at the A-Mill Lofts Art Gallery, was vandalized with inappropriate photos and words, and mirrors/supports broken.

We used this opportunity to see it as a visual for how, at the same time, our world was broken down and forever changed. Beside rebuilding and adding new artwork to the mural, we had great discussions about the youths’ perceptions and intentions of building a new community and world in a better way. This experience made me even more confident in our future and these wonderfully talented young people!

Find out about ALL the wonderful enrichment experiences at https://www.popinstitute.org/

Sheryl VanderPol 6/13/23 Sheryl VanderPol 6/13/23

Willow Trails Mural Story

This spring, I was approached to create a mural for the youth at the Willow Trails Group Home. It proved to be a growing experience for everyone, as we explored an adventurous co-creating atmosphere!

Willow Trails Group Home (Ages 12-18) is a program that offers a safe, supervised setting and fosters personal growth on many levels. Working side by side with our youth in character growth, emotional healing, and social maturity while confronting the core issues that resulted in their placement. Effective and positive behavior techniques are incorporated to promote healing in addition to addressing underlying trauma and mental health needs. Willow Trails Group Home is a place where struggling teenage girls can call home.

Here is my explanation along with photos to show the process and progression:

I went to the home to visit with the youth about what was important to them. They had many ideas and wanted a mural that meant something special. The wall was 16 ft. long and 8 ft. high. Since the home is called Willow Trail that is on Marigold Lane, we used that image for a background, and moved into the symbols and words that are important to them.

The last additions were the metallic paint fingerprints of the youth and staff themselves. They symbolize the uniqueness of the residents, as each one has a fingerprint that no-one else has, and can leave an imprint on the world that no-one else can!

“It has been a wonderful learning experience to spend time with each of you, and I will always remember what you taught me! Thank You!” - Sheryl VanderPol

Sheryl VanderPol 5/9/23 Sheryl VanderPol 5/9/23

Re-birth of MosaicMovement.org News! After three years of world recalibration and personal growth We are back - with many updates to follow!

Fertility Project - With Muchisimas gracias from our sisters @ Lake Atitlan Guatemala

Sheryl VanderPol 3/11/20 Sheryl VanderPol 3/11/20

Celebrating Women's International Day - It's happening all over!!

Starting in 1997, to stop sex trafficking and female inequality -The Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children’s Education (GRACE) Project designed and delivered reproductive health, and training programs with this FERTILITY BRACET a simple teaching tool for the young women to use each day to understand, not only their body, but also their power to choose their destiny.

TODAY the GRACE Project will sponsor two high school workshops in Guatemala City in March! Peer education training with teens: each teen commits to teaching ten other teens, so 120 participants will educate and distribute 1200 bracelets! We are assist them with our Service Project @ Lincoln International High-right here in MN!! Call me - Sheryl VanderPol to learn more -763-542-1116