Covenant House Michigan Residents Reflect on their Past Week

This past Friday was our last day of our week-long workshop series at Covenant House Michigan.

Performance later that night featuring Covenant House Michigan residents, as well as teaching artists Annick Odom, Betsy Lee, Veniece Session, Rachael Harbert, Claire Liburdi, Michael Gardner, and Sarah Schwendeman.

Participants talked about their favorite activity or performances, something new they experienced, and what they might continue to work on once we leave. Here are the heart-warming answers we received. 

"I liked the four components; art, dance, theatre, and music. This whole week I had a feeling of relaxation. These workshops helped me get coping skills and I was learning how to interact with people who may have differing of feelings."

"First coming in it was a little tough, but then when I found something I was interested in. I liked dance and became more involved."

"I found peace, it was a place where I could leave my problems."

"[DAI] activities were better than video games. I started getting along with people. Acting helped to express feelings."

"I enjoyed the opportunities to learn and expand my creativity and artistic expression. It was an equal learning space and there was no feeling of teacher versus student."

"All the teachers were very different and it was nice to see how they processed and dealt with being disrespected in the classroom. It helped me understand there are other ways to react."

"I feel like I am more human, less violent, more caring about the people around."

"I care more about interactions and how they affect people."

"I've learned how to feel better about my personal abilities. I feel intellectual, and have more thought about my actions."

"I want to go to college after this, possibly for acting."

"Acting and rapping were my favorite activities."

"I tried to dance, and the way we learned to move changed my perception on dance. I felt like I could tell a story."

"I loved dancing here."

"Participation in this week was overwhelming for me and a great experience."

"Being known and accepted as an artist helped to empower me."

What is a word that you would use to describe your week with Detroit Arts Immersion?

• Happy
• Sensational
• Successful
• Inspirational
• Anticipation
• Ohana-means family
• Eclectic 
• Talented
• Energized
• Rational
• Courageous
• Creativity
• Healing
• Serenity
• Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
• Thankful

Tessa Perez, Annick Odom, and Michael Gardner after their trio performance at Spread Art @ Detroit Contemporary.