During our holiday meetUP, teens and mentors shared smiles and painted them on snowmen as Mentoring Matches gathered for an interactive, virtual painting party.
The format of the event gave the sense of being in the same space together. It began as youth and mentors met in front of computer screens with their blank canvases and paint supplies. After several holiday-inspired ice breakers, Maya from Pinot’s Palette of Elk Grove gave step-by-step instructions on how to paint a charming snowman. Of course, individual style was highly encouraged, which resulted in unique paintings ranging from subtle to significant differences.
A couple of days before the meetUP, Founders and volunteers delivered holiday surprises to every teen in the program. They received festive bags filled with a DIY holiday project of wooden ornaments and paint pens, hot cocoa mix, candy, and everyday useful items of hand sanitizer, soap and holiday flavored lip balm. They also received a humorously commemorative 2020 ornament. Those who registered for the paint party received their paint kits. Finally, thanks to our friends at Ticket to Dream Foundation in partnership with Famous Footwear, many of our teens also received new shoes!
This was a special way to wish our teens a happy holiday season and to maintain our community. During paint strokes and drying time, participants chatted or asked questions as Christmas music played in the background. This sense of belonging is a very important part of our program. We are proud to continue to provide fun ways to engage, celebrate and support our teens—especially during this challenging year.
