Mar
26
Ms. Tina at The Lab
Filed Under Lab Stories, video | 4 Comments
Check this out this new clip of Ms. Tina dancing and telling her story at The Lab!
Tina L. Flewellyn is the creator of H.Y.P.E. (Hot Young People’s Entertainment) and artistic director of Arts Us at Duning Recreation Center near Central High School.
Along with a successful career in hip hop dance and choreography that has brought her all over the nation, Tina teaches dance to students at The Lab during the day and after-school at Arts Us in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The video runs about 12 1/2 minutes!
Mar
24
Ahnung Begs for More Facebook Fans!
Filed Under Mentor Blog | Comments Off
This post was written by Ahnung, a therapy dog that provides Animal Assisted Education at The Lab. Read more here – but bottom line is this: This dog wants more Facebook Fans, and if she reaches 600 Fans, her “Human” (Lab volunteer, Marilou), will donate $150 to The Lab. Help us out! It won’t cost you a dime! Read more
Mar
23
Volunteer Reflection, By David
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A couple weeks ago I had what may very well be the most rewarding experience I’ve had in my long stint with The Lab, and that’s saying a lot, as I’ve had some of the most rewarding experiences of my life already working for The Lab. I was called in to work with one high school student in particular, as he is in love with writing and The Writing Lab was in jeopardy of being canceled that day. So, he and I worked one-on-one.
I learned that this student has been through some experiences in his short life already that are harder than anything I’ve ever had to face. He told me that the way he deals with the issues that arise from such experiences, as well as just day to day trials, is through writing. Read more
Mar
23
Intern Reflection, by Kama
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The Lab – that is exactly what it is – like some type of metaphysical Laboratory.
When stepping into this place I feel as though it is an opportunity to disect the brains of the youth that come through this program in order to figure out what is “wrong”. But actually, what is wrong with our communities, societies, and the world in general, because the children know what’s up, but sometimes adults want to talk more than listen. My internship here at The Lab so far has been an opportunity for educational growth, as wells as a time of listening to children, who are a reflection of who I was as a young boy. It’s not so much about “fixing” them, but “examining”, while allowing them to “Examine” me.
It’s like “Hey Man, you can be where I am now, you and I are the same person. There is no reason you cannot better yourself. Are you the labels that have been given to you? Where do you want to be in 10 years?”.
For lack of better words The Lab has opened my eyes to a lot, Especially when I grab my scalpel and begin doing surgery on words and language in the Writing Lab! Peace!
* A Note from Mary T:
Indeed, Kama — The Lab is a place where we highlight the STRENGTHS of youth. We are not a place or program that sees youth in their deficits or pathology. At The Lab, we are working to address inequities in this world, particularly in those ways that affect our youth. We are striving to support our youth to make positive and healthy choices, even in the face of injustice.
Mar
22
RiverEast Poetry
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Check out this new poetry, written by students at RiverEast Day Treatment!
Sometimes When I Think About Myself
Sometimes when I think about myself
I see what I did in the past.
20% basketball
10% math
15% football
5% writing
20% caring
20% video games
15% loving
100% me
A
Mar
21
A Volunteer’s Fundraising Plea for Lab Youth Poetry Anthology
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In recent years I have come to rely on writing …. my morning practice of journaling has been a life saver for me, a creative outlet. For youth at The Lab, they are shown this “writing way” as a healthy way to cope with life’s stressors. Too many youth do not know that they have a voice, but when they are at The Lab, they have a voice, and what they have to say matters.
This image is a sneak preview of the Lab’s Poetry & Art Anthology cover, vol VIII. It is making its way to the printer for publication soon, but we have some money to raise! The Lab needs to raise $500 by March 31st to print these anthologies and would like to give two copies to every student who has a poem published in the anthology. Imagine the smile on the face of one of these students … can you donate even just $10, or $15, or $25 to The Lab to help with publishing costs?
You can make a donation to The Lab online by clicking here.
If you would prefer to write a check, please make your check out to The Lab and mail it to:
The Lab at Homecroft
St. Paul Public Schools
Attn: Mary Tinucci, Program Coordinator
1845 Sheridan Ave
St. Paul, MN 55116
Mar
21
I Come Here, A Poem by Josh
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I come here to put the pen to the paper
Cause my words abstract
Attack with a confused look on its face.
I come here to find meaning to
What I think about
Catch my words
They jumping off the page Read more
Mar
20
Volunteer Grant Writers Needed!
Filed Under Mary's Blog | Comments Off
I wish money grew on trees – But, alas, it doesn’t.
We are looking for a volunteer Grant Writer at The Lab.
Are you the one who can help? (or) Maybe you know someone with a grant-writing talent, who will collaborate with me to generate funding for special projects at The Lab (ie…guest artist stipend, poetry anthology publishing costs, technology resources for at-risk youth, etc).
Drop Mary an Email @ mary.tinucci@spps.org
Mar
18
Intern Reflection, by Geriann
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It came as a revelation in mid-December that all my life I had been focused on the ‘art project’. Of course I know that while creating art, a person puts themselves, their experiences, their emotions and ultimately their story into the project. I would add that the experience of creating something with your hands that is beautiful is inherently satisfying in a way that modern society does not offer. This is why the idea of learning art, doing art, sharing it with people and teaching it is thrilling and ultimately fulfilling for me. Anyone could do art; there is not a right and a wrong way. I believe this. As an art educator in schools, community centers and camps I am enjoy planning art project for kids, teens and adults who are genuinely excited about the projects. I went to my internship at The Lab with this same enthusiasm. A student of social work and a recently trained Lab intern, I was aware of the importance of cultural relevance in planning my class so I dove into the new world of hip-hop with graffiti as the focus. My classes would be fun and meaningful. Great art would be created.
Mar
17
Carnage at The Lab
Filed Under Lab Stories, video | Comments Off
Minneapolis based emcee and beat boxer, Terrell Woods a.k.a. Carnage The Executioner, of Hecatomb Records and Ill Chemistry (with Desdamona), comes to The Lab to perform and talk about his work as a musician.
Check out this video clip of Carnage beat boxing and giving a few lessons on the art form. Read more about Terrell Woods HearItLocal.com!
“Beat boxing is about your body – it’s more about your body than just your mouth…your mouth can’t do anything that your body won’t allow it to do.” - Carnage
