COLD LAKE – A summer art event aimed at inspiring creativity and connection among local teens was moved indoors due to smoky conditions in July, but that didn’t stop the fun.
Originally planned for the Cold Lake and District FCSS Park, the “Art in the Park” event took place upstairs in the Cold Lake and District FCSS building on July 18.
The change in location didn’t dampen the goal of the program, helping youth connect and build resilience through art.
“Art in the Park is designed for teenagers to go out in the nature and be inspired by the nature, but the goal of the program is for teenagers to interact with other teenagers so that they have social connections and also for them to build resilience,” said Danica Laluan, Family Resource Network facilitator for Cold Lake FCSS.
Laluan added that the essence of the program is flexible and focused on personal growth.
Laluan explained that the program encourages learning through experience, where mistakes are part of building resilience and teens are reminded that things don’t always have to be perfect.
The program, which had its final session for this season, is part of a broader FCSS effort to create meaningful experiences for youth and families in the community.
“Here at FCSS we're looking for some different ways basically of getting teenagers out there,” Laluan said. “Basically, still building on that social connections and still resilience."
The events are carefully planned ahead of time.
“We do program planning six months prior to the program. So, we do lesson plans beforehand, we get to order the stuff that we need for that program. And basically, I as a facilitator get to decide which activities I want to do.”
Accessibility and inclusion are also at the heart of the FCSS programming.
“Here at FCSS, we cater to a lot of people, a lot of individuals, people from all walks of life. So basically, that's bringing the community together . . . everyone is welcome in this program.”
