Program areas at Attitudinal Healing Connection
Since 1995, AHC's award-winning ArtEsteem program has helped develop creative, engaged and successful children and youth through artistic, emotional, social and intellectual skills. ArtEsteen is an art and social justice program offered during the day and after school, allowing students to give voice to their dreams, desires, and concerns through visual art, fashion design and cultural art (rhythm and sound). The curriculum combines Attudinal Healing concepts with art instruction. Throught its programs ArtEsteem served over 2,500 children during the fiscal year.
The Oakland Super Hero Mural Project is the City of Oakland's first large scale mural revitalization and beautification project. The project aims to beautify, uplift, positively transform and bring hope to community. The goal is to complete five murals (approximately 12,000 sq ft of concrete space) under the 580 freeway and San Pablo Avenue to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. The project includes community and youth engagement, school partnerships and civic engagement.AHC received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for the completion of the first of the six murals, honoring the mission of AHC. Part of the project involved community surveys. Ninety five percent of those surveyed expressed positive hopes and dreams for the community. One hundred people have participated.
Attitudinal Healing Connection (the Center) offers ongoing counseling and workshops to community members. Programs include: Unleashing the Human Spirit Retreat, a three day intensive with a focus on community building; free Mindful Drumming sessions; free monthly Racial Healing Circles offering an opportunity for participants to engage in deep dialogue and explore personal beliefs, fears, and attitudes about race. Participants learn the art of healing through sharing their stories and sacred listening in a circle of safety and authenticity; Community Healing Circles - trauma informed work - to support individuals and families in coping and healing from catastrophic life altering incidents. The intent of the healing circles is to uncover the fears, attitudes and beliefs that hurt the present and hinder healing. Healing Cirles are called for by families and inviduals as needed. AHC Leadership training courses are attended by local community leaders to help spread these techniques into the wider community.Through AHC's professional development, workshops and healing circles, approximately 3,500 individuals have been served.