Finding The Words Of Connection In Therapy

One of the books by Jeff Walker about hip-hop therapy.

Every so often, in psychotherapy, there are times when a therapist and a client have difficulty connecting. It could be a clash of personalities, a lack of understanding, even the manner of expression, but the not connecting affects the course of therapeutic work. Race can sometimes enter the equation, when those from the African-American community speak differently from white people, understanding can get lost in the broken connection.

A young counselor and therapist, Jeff Walker, who was working with "at-risk" youth noticed the difficulty that therapists and their young clients were having in finding a common language in which to discuss deeply personal issues. That inability to connect could lead young teens and adults to become trapped within the system which they had unwillingly entered. Mr. Walker, at that point, realized that his connection with hip-hop culture enabled him to make that all-important connection, so he set about making sure that other therapists could utilize his experiences.



Mr. Walker gathered together the same tools that he had used to learn about and utilize hip hop and rap culture to help youth, and formed RHYMECOLOGY as therapy. With this system, urban youth express, create, and discover themselves as a means of healing and of relating to psychotherapists. Mr. Walker explained, "The Rhymecology ethos uses hip-hop lyrics and culture and brings them into the mental health field, providing counselors with an alternate tool to connect with and eventually heal their clients."

At this point, Mr. Walker has published two books about this type of therapeutic process, Rhymecology: Using Hip-Hop To Heal: The Therapist Guide and Rhymecology: The Art Of Hip-Hop Lyrics. There is also the only therapeutic game involving the use of hip-hop, Rhymecology Self-Expression, which promotes self-reflection, critical thinking, and introspection through the use of situation cards. This game has been endorsed by teachers, parents, counselors, and therapists.

Rhymecology as performance art.

Let's end with a poem by Jeff Walker:

"times change
I know its hard to follow your passion
the DREAM path seems to go over mountains and canyons
while walking barefoot, pulling a wagon
of baggage and scars all while slaying these dragons
its called mid life strife
we dream of big bright lights
reality is we live in a place that fits quite tight
kids might fight so our dreams lay dormant
personal passion out the window, just want our teams to stay scoring
seems like the scenes way boring...
Life maybe less crazy and festive
but its all in our perspective
family helps you live in more balanced ways
things sure have changed haven't they
now we gotta lay back and just be
times are changing...but are we?"

A thoughtful young man with a talent for connecting with youth who are in the system; a hopeful way for those same youth to find a future that is both challenging and utilizes their talents. An understanding connection helps it to happen.

One of the Rhymecology workshops.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/jeff-walker-rhymecology-guide-and-game/; this poem on Rhymecology: http://www.rhymecology.com/word/times-change; and the above link.

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A Business That Thinks Beyond Its Offices

At the Centers of Influence Awards, Jessica DeMunda (left), Marketing Director, and Mike Stankus, Senior Manager, accept an award for Herzbach & Company.

Located in Owings Mills, MD, HERTZBACH & COMPANY P.A. is a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) and consulting firm that strives to give the best level of expertise and advice to its clients and helps to guide them to business success. This accounting company has been in business for more than 65 years.

Besides serving a variety of businesses, Hertzbach also has its eye on serving its employees. Part of that service is in helping employees to maintain a balance between work and family life. In that regard, this company has provided a variety of work options that help meets its goals while serving its workers.



The company's latest moves will be applied in this upcoming tax season. Hertzbach will be changing its work rules to allow enough work flexibility to eliminate all or most of its in-office Saturday work hours during the tax rush. This change is in line with the company philosophy that its employees are its most important assets, while also maintaining that all-important sense of being part of a successful and supportive work team.

For the Christmas holiday season, the Volunteer Committee decided to collect clothing for GIVING BACK LINDA'S LEGACY (GBLL), a nonprofit located in Anne Arundel County that collects and distributes clothing for use by individuals without permanent homes. Partner Nancy Buckley spearheaded the clothing collection efforts. GBLL annually receives about 20 truckloads of clothing from businesses and other participants, which it distributes to homeless shelters.

Nikkia Fitch, whose expertise is Affordable Housing and Nonprofit Industries.

But that's not all that Hertzbach did in its Christmas generosity. Through the efforts of the Volunteer Committee, employees collected 30 toolboxes, which were painted with inspirational messages, for ANGELS OF ADDICTION. Because a number of those without permanent homes seek shelter in abandoned buildings, the toolboxes contain supplies that help their users maintain safety in their food supplies and keep out insects. In other words, thirty individuals will be able to experience just a small amount of additional comfort through these donations.

It's nice to know that a company that engages in helping businesses do business also thinks enough of their community members to help them out in times of need. It shows that business is not just about "doing business".

Clothing and toolboxes for neighbors in need.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Hertzbach/about/?ref=page_internal; this blog post on Herzbach & Company: http://www.hertzbach.com/hertzbach-eliminates-mandatory-saturday-hours-during-tax-season/; this blog post on Hertzbach & Company: http://www.hertzbach.com/hertzbach-collects-clothes-and-supplies-for-giving-back-lindas-legacy/; and the above links.

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Independence Skills For Survivors Of Domestic Violence

A billboard helps to raise community awareness.

Domestic violence continues to plague our society, and with a offical due to enter the White House, who is reported to have battered one of his wives, there is no more appropriate time to consider how a woman in that situation can disengage from that kind of dangerous relationship. Located in Detroit, MI, SISTERS ACQUIRING FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT (SAFE) helps women overcome financial issues that keep them in these toxic relationships.



Offered free of charge to victims of domestic violence, SAFE provides training sessions at public libraries and hospitals, along with domestic violence shelters, in the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be able to begin to function independently, while also helping the women maintain personal safety. Classes come in one-hour modules and cover such topics as Job Skills, Resume Creation, Interviewing Skills, Entrepreneurship, Customer Service, Personal Finances, Networking, Basic Employment Law 101.

The organization also holds Resource Fairs, the last one in October, that provides 100 women with pampering, useful resources, food, and much more. The location is confidential to maintain the women's safety. The location is revealed only at the time that the women register. At this last fair, a drawback was that there were no child care services available.

From the Purple Purse Challenge.

SAFE has recently launched the Allstate Purple Purse Challenge, for the purpose of raising funds for a building to house a dedicated training facility, then to expand its programs, to provide community awareness events, and to provide for the needs of domestic violence survivors. There are specific items that are provided for each donation level. $25 gives one survivor a custom micro-entrepreneurial training manual and a budgeting workbook; $100 gives two survivors one month bus access to Detroit's buses for their travel needs; $1,100 provides one SAFE trainer with a laptop computer, a projector, and wireless internet access, enough for weekly community workshops for 20 survivors.

From the survey campaign.

A survey was being conducted by the Detroit Economic Security Listening Project from November 14 to December 15 (each survey took about ten minutes), especially to add the voices of African, African American, Arab, Asian, and Latina women into the conversation about shaping Detroit's future. The survey was designed to make Detroit better and SAFE was urging those they serve to participate.

Thanks for information from this article on SAFE: http://www.newsafestart.org/about.html; this announcement on SAFE: http://www.newsafestart.org/safes-resource-fair.html; this announcement on SAFE: http://www.newsafestart.org/purple-purse-challlenge.html; and this Constant Contact announcement: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Survey-on-economic-struggles---success-of-Detroit-women.html?soid=1101638673428&aid=Pa-XV1Wm2u0.

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Shakespeare From A Barber's Chair

Mark Williams (right) with Slicers Barber & Styling Lounge owner, Allen Jackson.

In urban neighborhoods, there is one place where kids end up for several hours each week - that's the local barbershop. Barbershops can be hubs of information and socialization, a place to collect neighborhood news, and to renew relationships among friends and neighborhoods. But could it be something more?

Mark Williams had observed the ins and outs of barbershops for a while and realized that many youth spent two to three hours each week hanging out with the barber or beautician. So much time was spent by youth with these individuals that these adults ended up providing mentorship for these youngsters.



That's when Mr. Williams got an idea. He loved the works of William Shakespeare and the world of words to the point of knowing how critical literacy is in the education of youth. Putting all the pieces together and consulting a literature professor, he formed a program in the local barbershops of the Charlotte, NC, area, to expose local youth to the works of Shakespeare.

Realizing how influential Shakespeare's works were in his own childhood and utilizing the multi-generational ambience present in barber and beauty shops, Mr. Williams set out to provide this positive influence for the younger generation in his program, SHAKESPEARE IN A CHAIR. He stated, "Shakespeare has been around for 450 years and many youth have never been exposed to his writings. The program will highlight the influence his words have on today's culture and vocabulary."

Shakespeare in a Chair has become an eight-week literacy program for youth ages eight to young adult. During each eight-week session, one of Shakespeare's works is studied, discussed, and interpreted. Participating barber shops have visual and digital prompts to encourage participation. Youth can proceed at their own pace through the work, and receive ample encouragement and support from the barbers and beauticians. Some of the skills promoted are critical thinking, literacy, oratory, and reading comprehension. Youth are allowed to utilize mobile devices to look up words and phrases, thus increasing their vocabulary.

Other features of the program include: understanding sentence structure, learning about play settings and locations, group visits to Shakespeare productions, open mic nights for guest and academic readings and discussions, partnerships with Shakespeare production companies, partnerships with local colleges and universities, and even more.

Two young girls working their way through Othello.

Mr. Williams, himself, comes from Charlotte, NC, where he is a father, husband, and entrepreneur. He received a Bachelor's degree from Pace University and has been working in sales and marketing for a cable company for more than fifteen years. Charlotte, and the surrounding area, has so much to appreciate about his involvement in their community.

A young boy follows from the text.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/mark-williams-shakespeare-in-a-chair/; this page from Shakespeare in a Chair: http://www.shakespeareinachair.org/about-us/; this page from Shakespeare in a Chair: http://www.shakespeareinachair.org/program1/; and the above link.

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A Venue For Contemporary Artists in the UK

Cupola Contemporary Art

Here's an art gallery with a belief that creativity bonds people across cultures, gender, and race. Located in Sheffield and in operation since 1991, CUPOLA CONTEMPORARY ART showcases painting, printmaking, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, glass, textiles. and photography. At any given time, the gallery displays the works of more than 300 artists.

Among the many offerings at Cupola, the gallery sells second-hand books and comics. Their selection includes classics and a variety of interesting titles. On occasion, due to the interests of the manager, who is the husband of the gallery owner, there can also be academic and specialist works. Some children's books are also among the selections.



The large selection of comics includes Marvel, DC, and independent publishers. Most of the offerings date from the 1970s and 1980s. Eventually, there are plans to add an online link to this bookstore.

Cupola is currently running an exhibition, To Please a Few, which continues through January 7. A mixed group of art works are being presented and works are for sale. A total of 50 artists have works in this exhibition; 20 artists are new to the gallery. According to Karen Sherwood, the curator and Director of Cupola, "Art work made with integrity and unique vision are not going to please everyone, but we hope this selection may absolutely delight a few."

One of the artists, who works in glass and has works at the gallery, is Elliott Walker. Based in London, Mr. Walker uses molten glass as his medium. His works show delicacy and a luminous quality, in which glass becomes transformed into unexpected forms and figures. For those who are more versed in glass-blowing, he uses the Messello technique.

One of Elliott Walker's works.

Mr. Walker stated, "A theme that runs through all of my work is the presence of a skin, either as a container of things, a veneer to hide things or a protective layer to shield vulnerable things. My passion is for glass, I could never ask to work with a more challenging and rewarding material, it's full of contradictions and surprises." Of course, for full appreciation of the works of this artist and the others on display, one must visit. Details are on the website.

One of the works from the exhibition, To Please A Few.

Thanks for information from this article on Charter For Compassion: http://www.charterforcompassion.org/cupola-contemporary-art; this article on Cupola Contemporary Art: http://www.cupolagallery.com/new-blog/2016/7/29/books; this announcement on Cupola Contemporary Art: http://www.cupolagallery.com/events/2016/11/25/to-please-a-few;
this article on Cupola Contemporary Art: http://www.cupolagallery.com/elliot-walker; and the above link.

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Integrated Dance: Dance For Everyone

Holiday wishes from MeetShareDance. Always make room for dance.

Dance is a wonderful form of self-expression and a forum of creativity. Although most people are used to watching the athletic feats of the dancers in a variety of dance forms, it isn't often that people contemplate those with physical challenges being involved with this art form.

Monika Pozek has been involved in dance for her entire life. While she was living in Argentina, she worked with dancers who were differently-abled and found that dancers who spend most of their time in wheelchairs have some unique opportunities for expression and movement. However, most organizations that provide dance classes have excluded those with physical challenges.


Upon moving back to Europe, in the city of Madrid, Ms. Pozek founded MEETDANCESHARE, an organization that would promote the inclusion of everyone, regardless of ability, into dance and artistic movement. This organization started out by organizing a dance festival every year during a block of four days, the first two years, 2012 and 2013, in Madrid. The idea was to showcase inclusive dance, provide dance and movement workshops, and serve as a venue for networking for individuals interested in including differently-abled individuals in dance.

In 2014, MeetDanceShare took the festival on the road, so to speak, that year being the first in which the festival took place outside of Madrid, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, since Ms. Pozek's original concept was picking a different site every year. Since that year, various sites around the world have been utilized: Dublin, Ireland, in 2015; Helsinki, Finland, this year; and Berlin, Germany, slated for 2017.

Monika explained, "With the festival I want to show the possibilities to be a dancer no matter what abilities or disabilities a person has and there are more and more people with disabilities who want to have an active life and artistic fulfillment."

A dance workshop.

Obviously, the planning for the Berlin festival has already started. At the beginning of this month, MeetDanceShare has issued an open call for dance teachers at the dance workshop festival. Application deadline is January 10, so there is only a short time remaining to apply. The festival is being held August 25 to 26, at UFerStudios. The festival will hold five integrated dance workshops, and includes a dance street parade. Applications can be found on the website.

Happy dancers practicing together.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/monika-pozek-festival-meetsharedance/; this announcement on MeetDanceShare: https://meetsharedance.com/2016/12/01/open-call-teachers-vi-meetsharedance-berlin-2017/; and the above link.

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Horse-Assisted Therapy And Life Coaching

A young boy leading a horse.

It's a bit of a different way of conducting psychotherapy, this incorporation of horses into psychiatric treatment. A nonprofit, HORSE POWER THERAPY AND LIFE COACHING, located in Bel Air, MD, utilizes this type of psychotherapy, in which the horse represents obstacles and challenges in a person's life, while the relationship with the horse helps individuals with mental illnesses work towards their goals through their relationship with both horse and therapist.

Indeed this horse therapy organization has on staff a therapist and two life coaches who have experience with, and a love of, horses. Six horses are also on the staff and available to work with those who seek the services offered by Horse Power.

Because of the nature of horses, they are uniquely equipped to be partners in therapy and life coaching. Horses are social animals and very sensitive to their surroundings: their behaviors adjust to changes in their surroundings. When they interact with people, they reflect back what those people bring into the interaction. For example, if a person is high energy, then the horse becomes high energy; if the person is calm, so is the horse.



Because interacting with the unique individual personality of a horse presents such a variety of learning opportunities, the interaction can provide that hands-on experience and immediate feedback that can lead to changes in capabilities in humans. Learning what it takes to lead a horse, or to be part of the social herd, can help that individual learn what is needed to interact more effectively in the human social world.

Belle, one of the therapy horses, in a moment of relaxation in the snow.

Some of those who have had experience with Horse Power, explain how they have benefited. Joyce said, "Great information. I can use this in both work and family situations." According to Joanne, "I didn't know the horses could teach me that much. They might be large and powerful but they are kind. They were part of the workshop that made it successful for me." And Richard commented, "The exercises were very good, I personally enjoyed them and could immediately see how apt they are for this training."

Some of the tools of equine therapy in an office.

Thanks for information from this Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/pg/HorsePowerLifeCoaching/about/?ref=page_internal; this article on Horse Power's website: http://www.horsepowerlifecoaching.com/why-horses; and the above link.

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Addressing Deficits Revealed By This Election

Founder Riane Eisler.

Sometimes, we human beings turn to our wiser organizations to find answers to the puzzling questions in life, or when we strive to understand outcomes that we never meant should happen. We turn to groups like THE CENTER FOR PARTNERSHIP STUDIES (CPS). We like to look to organizations that can prompt change, that cover a broad range, leading to cultural, economic, and personal change. But it's not just any transformation that is sought, it is something that makes life better, deeper, richer. Like CPS's call to action, we want to change from control to care, from power domination to empowerment.

And so, after the shock of this election, particularly after finding out the caliber of the man that was elected, Riane Eisler, the founder and spokesperson for CPS, had to address what is being seen as a major sea change in US leadership. She said, "What happened in the 2016 election is a wake-up call to go deeper, to focus on underlying problems. If we don't, domination systems will keep rebuilding themselves. We have an opportunity to recommit our leadership to help shift the national conversation toward a more partnership framework: valuing caring work, and respecting the fundamental human rights and dignity of all people."

On the national level, it is increasingly apparent, through the choices that have been already made, that domination will be prominent in a man who tolerates no dissent or criticism. Because of the racist, white domination, and intolerance backgrounds of many of the appointees, it will become difficult to find respect for the fundamental human rights and dignity of our nation's citizens and immigrants. Caring work will remain undervalued and underpaid in a framework in which millionaires and billionaires are given the most prominence. But will this extend downward to the State and local levels?

Graduates of CPS' Leadership and Learning programs met together on December to discover how the principles of CPS can be applied at the community level. There was a call by Ms. Eisler to bring these leaders together and encourage them. As she said, "Change is happening - your leadership is needed and appreciated now more than ever. In the new year, you will have a chance to hear the Center for Partnership Studies' response to the US election: a call to leaders to support a long-term strategy to begin changing the political and economic discourse."

One of the courses offered by CPS.

And Ms. Eisler encouraged everyone to "Regroup and re-energize - Get ready to be inspired to continue our important work!" Indeed, hope is still here; it hasn't left. Organizations around the country are doing important work in big ways and small. Keeping hope alive means acting in a way to advance human rights, dignity, and the value of caring for our fellow human beings.

Scenes from the Caring Economy Advocates Program.

Thanks for information from this page on CPS: http://centerforpartnership.org/mission-and-history/; this blog post on the CPS blog: http://centerforpartnership.org/news-events/alumgathering/; and the above link.

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Yoga In Urban Schools

Yoga can be done right in the classroom.

Yoga and kids - more and more frequently the two are becoming a winning combination. And why not? With the focus on getting kids moving, instead of vegging in front of computer screens, with urban schools in aging buildings without much space to incorporate physical activities, it has become something of a challenge to figure out ways to put kids and physical activities together.

That situation was noted by Nicole Cardoza, who had been volunteering in New York City public schools as a yoga instructor for four years. She also was aware that yoga could be done in a smaller space and needs much less funding than formal sports programs, so it made an ideal fit in urban school districts.

Combining her degree in business management and advertising with her observations and love of yoga, she formed YOGA FOSTER, an initiative that brings free children's yoga programs to schools and community centers. The program that was designed by this initiative combines yoga poses and controlled breathing with storytelling and problem-solving. Kids participating in the program receive not only physical activities but a dose of creativity. The program provides yoga  mats and other resources, while providing training for teachers and staff. By the end of the first year and a half, the program had served 450 students in more than a dozen settings.

Now, the science is supporting the observed relationship between physical activity and well-being. The University of Pittsburgh was able to map the effects of movement on specific brain structures.

At first, the Pitt researchers didn't think that the motor cortex would affect the adrenal medulla. But they found that a number of neurons located there do. And those neurons are found in the axial muscle portion of the cortex.

A class full of students gets their wiggles out at Pacific Boulevard School.

Peter Strick, one of the researchers, said, "Something about axial control has an impact on stress responses. There's all this evidence that core strengthening has an impact on stress. And when you see somebody that's depressed or stressed out, you notice changes in their posture. When you stand up straight, it has an effect on how you project yourself and how you feel. Well, lo and behold, core muscles have an impact on stress. And I suspect if you activate core muscles inappropriately with poor posture, that's going to have an impact on stress."

A quick burst of yoga activity in the gym with teacher Daniel's third grade students.

So, projecting that information back into the classroom setting, if teachers have their students move in their seats, stand, and/or stretch, those movements can help to reduce the amount of stress that children experience. That means less stress inhibiting learning, for a better learning experience.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/nicole-cardoza-yoga-foster/; this blog article on Yoga Foster: http://www.yogafoster.org/yoga-in-schools/resources/2016/8/29/this-is-the-neuroscience-that-links-movement-with-stress-reduction; and the above link.

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An Infusion Of Culture To Promote Cultural Appreciation

Various indigenous presenters, who deliver cultural programs in various parts of Australia.

Every place needs an organization like CULTURAL INFUSION, especially a place that has a widely diverse population. For Abbotsford, Victoria, in Australia, it means they have the great fortune of being its home.

So, what does Cultural Infusion do? It promotes cultural harmony and well-being in order to benefit a more cohesive and richer type of society. The organization works with schools, youth, and communities to promote a greater understanding of the cultures that make up the community through enriched cultural and intercultural arts and social initiatives.



One of the areas that Cultural Infusion has been working is the digital world. With the help of the WISE ACCELERATOR program, the organization was assisted in promoting their educational app, JOKO'S WORLD, which helps kids learn about the world and other cultures through games. Kids can choose various segments of the game in which to explore, such as musical instruments and folk songs from various cultures. The site also contains articles for teachers to use in their classrooms, or parents can use at home, through Joko's blog.

For another program, Cultural Infusion teamed with the Royal Society of Victoria, and Australian Science Communicators. Known as the Migrant Science Communication Accelerator, this program trains migrant scientists to be presenters in schools. Eligible individuals have a Masters degree in science or engineering, or an undergraduate degree with work experience in their field. They must have been struggling to find work in Australia.

Every year Australia's schools and teachers employ science communicators to come into the schools and provide specialized science programs that are beyond the knowledge of the teachers. In 2017, the schools will also be presenting science as a human activity, along with intercultural understanding.

Students working with Joko's World app.

The migrant scientist are actually working through Cultural Infusion's schools program. Those who become part of the program are assisted to create their presentation on their chosen topic, suitable for the classroom; are coached on delivery; and assisted to market the presentation to classrooms around Australia. Communicators already working in the program provide mentoring to those newly employed. A plus for the program is that those hired as Communicators are invited to science events that help them to connect with Melbourne's scientific community.

One of the drumming programs utilized in the classroom.

Thanks for information from this article on Cultural Infusion: http://culturalinfusion.org.au/foundation/science/; this article on WISE Accelerator: http://www.wise-qatar.org/wise-accelerator-program-2016-17; this article on Charter For Compassion: http://www.charterforcompassion.org/cultural-infusion; and the above links.

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