Molly Timmins, AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

The AmeriCorps VISTAs spread holiday cheer at Adelante’s Juntos Project. Every Wednesday Adelante’s Juntos Project serves dinner to families, which was provided by First Presbyterian this week, and the Santa Fe Community Educators Network offers an activity for the kids. At the last Juntos Project evening of 2017, the VISTAs offered fun holiday activities for the whole family.

Louise, Sarah, Josie and I led three activities: making ornaments with recycled craft materials, turning pine cones into holiday trees, and the most sugary activity was cookie decorating. We all had a ton of fun with the kids — they are some of the sweetest kids I’ve met. I supervised the cookie decorating table and was amazed by the creativity and positivity of the kids! They all encouraged each other in their designs and overall had fun together. One of the boys made two cookies and, before he left, gave me his best decorated cookie as a gift. I was so touched and honored to receive a cookie from him!

From my vantage point it looked like no matter which activity the kids went to, they were having a blast, and so were the VISTAs! The parents also had a great time — many engaged with the pine cone activity and had just as much fun making holiday decorating as their kids! As VISTAs our role is indirect service, like supporting the programs who support youth in Santa Fe. It was really nice to have a connection with the kids by participating in the Juntos Project. I really hope we get to run another program in 2018!

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Every Wednesday night SFPS Adelante hosts the Juntos Project, serving a hot meal to homeless families and providing parent education classes on topics such as family communication and family literacy. The Santa Fe Community Educators Network (SF CEN) partners with Adelante to host fun enrichment program for the kids.
AmeriCorps VISTA Adria, who supports SF CEN, attended the Juntos Project this November. SF CEN members Wise Fool New Mexico and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum offered creative and athletic fun at their Wednesday night Juntos Project program.  
Liz Brindley and Sarah Zurick of Georgia O’Keefe instructed the children on how to make Whirl-a-Gigs with paper and markers.  The kids produced colorful designs and cut them into swirly shapes.  
Additionally, Alishiya Kapoor of Wise Fool New Mexico offered instruction in hula-hooping, plate spinning on sticks, and juggling.  
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Adelante Juntos Project
November 29, 2017

Every Wednesday night SFPS Adelante hosts the Juntos Project, serving a hot meal to homeless families and providing parent education classes on topics such as family communication and family literacy. The Santa Fe Community Educators Network (SF CEN) partners with Adelante to host fun enrichment program for the kids.

AmeriCorps VISTA Adria, who supports SF CEN, attended the Juntos Project this November. SF CEN members Wise Fool New Mexico and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum offered creative and athletic fun at their Wednesday night Juntos Project program. 
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Liz Brindley and Sarah Zurick of Georgia O’Keefe instructed the children on how to make Whirl-a-Gigs with paper and markers.  The kids produced colorful designs and cut them into swirly shapes. 
Alishiya Kapoor of Wise Fool New Mexico offered instruction in hula-hooping, plate spinning on sticks, and juggling.