Moments of Connection in Bloom at Park Elementary

October 24th and 25th 2024 marked a memorable milestone for both Therapicasso and Park Elementary, as the school hosted Therapicasso’s first-ever full-day workshop. Students streamed into the classrooms, eyes lighting up as they waited patiently for the “hope blossom” activity to begin.

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Tables were decorated with a variety of colored markers, sheets of paper, and scissors. Students eagerly began crafting paper flowers that reflected their personalities; some folded simple origami roses, while others drew detailed designs onto each paper-cut petal. On each bloom, they wrote messages of hope or encouragement, then hung them onto the school’s communal olive tree. Together, the blossoms acted as a meaningful symbol of unity across the school.

Students creating their personalized blossoms

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Therapicasso’s team members and a group of middle school student ambassadors from Park moved between tables, offering gentle guidance and encouragement to everyone. These ambassadors–mentored by Gabby Wong, CEO and Joshua Ferriere, COO – cultivated a supportive environment for their peers that let everyone feel seen and heard.

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One especially powerful moment came when Joshua worked with a student who had just recently transitioned into a regular classroom from a special education class after years of selective mutism. At the beginning of the day, she was quiet and a bit hesitant, but as Joshua guided her through the creation of her flower, she gradually began to open up. Eventually, she looked up and spoke to Joshua–one of the first strangers she had ever talked to–and asked him, “How do you draw a sunflower?”. That seemingly ordinary question spoke volumes. Being able to watch her gain the courage to use her voice was a heartfelt reminder of the positive impact Therapicasso can have on students’ lives.

A group of students proudly posing with their finished flowers

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“Therapicasso can be a saving grace–a hope blossom–if students embrace it.” said principal of Park Elementary, Carin Gasca.

This spirit was evident in the energy that buzzed throughout campus. It proved that when given the chance to grow and create together, communities can truly blossom.

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