Safe Connections and Creative Expression through Youth Arts Programming

As communities and individuals, we’ve all experienced, in some capacity, the extraordinary challenges of adapting to the new realities of the pandemic; you’ve likely also experienced the joy that comes with opportunities to safely connect with others and doing something you love amidst great stress and uncertainty in our communities.

Throughout the pandemic, our staff have been adjusting their work to ensure that CommonBond residents have safe access to the services that enrich their lives—and to help them maintain some normalcy during months of ongoing uncertainty. At Glenbrook Apartments in Milwaukee, Advantage Services Coordinator Sara has been working in partnership with the nonprofit Artists Working in Education to make sure the youth at the community continue to have outlets to connect with peers and express their emotions through art.

"When we started doing the art programming, we wanted to tap into how the kids were feeling and helping them to mourn what they lost as a result of COVID," Sara said. "Doing art projects like this helps them tap into their feelings because a lot of times, kids don't know how to express them."

Especially now, we know how important it is for kids to have safe spaces to connect and express themselves freely. Big thank you to Sara, Artists Working in Education, and any other staff involved for their efforts to ensure that the arts programming with youth continues at Glenbrook even during the most challenging times!

For more details of this program, check out the Journal Sentinel article below!

A Milwaukee affordable housing community works with artists to help kids express their feelings about the pandemic