A bit about 'Inspire'
Every term I teach students from all walks of life, from privileged kids who excel at everything they do - to kids who have been struggling at school, children with Autism, ADHD or experienced some sort of Trauma. Youth who have had to deal with bullying in school and many kids - especially teens with social phobias and anxiety problems. I have adults who come for time out and also for art therapy, along with just a place to be with like minded people. I set up inspire to be different - a safe place where people can come and be themselves where they can learn that it is OK to be unique and to learn to express themselves through art and the results from these classes have been just amazing.
Through attending Inspire I have witnessed students grow in their self confidence as they learn its OK to be different. They begin to express themselves through their art work, and they begin to become more self assured and begin to have a direction and goals in life. I have heard stories from parents where my students used to be picked on and bullied at school, have come to inspire and started to feel so confident and better about themselves by finding their place through art - to the point they were no longer bullied at school. Teen girls who have anxiety and social phobias who have blossomed and grown in their confidence - some of them don't even seem like the same kid after a term. Kids who started shy and withdrawn. No anxiety, and the social phobias starting to go, etc etc.
There are many students who are in situations of poverty, in foster care, or living under the care of their grandparents or just everyday financial struggles. Every Term I personally sponsor a couple of students as I see the huge benefits of getting youth into Inspire. Unfortunately due to my own financial commitments I need a certain amount of students and am unable to offer up many free spaces. Also the classes tend to get booked out by paying customers therefore not leaving alot of room for me to have an unpaid space for a Sponsored student. I have opened up the 'Sponsor a Student' so we can get more youth into Inspire who are not in a situation to attend the classes otherwise, so they can grow and develop their skills as well as their confidence and self worth, in a safe, creative and inspirational environment...