journeys program development

Monday, October 17, 2011

Journeys Services

SPEAKER SOLUTIONS FOR YOUTH AND ADULT EVENTS

Journey's services are the culmination of 30 years of programs designed to entertain and enrich peoples lives. Well over half a million children and adults have particpated in the variety of fun and thought-provoking presentations and programs.

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Just in -- Feedback for our Survivor Character Challenge Program:

Janet,
As a mom, I can tell you that my boys are loving Survivor Club. They come home and tell me all that you've done and what they learned.... I just love it!. I'm going to try and get some pictures next week and submit it to our district website and PR deparment!! Keep up the great work!
Schawn Wrenden
ACE Project Director
HCISD

Thank you Challenge Team Members:

Jennie Miller

Julianna Allen

Sarah Montemayor

Laura Maxwell

Sara Lacy

Kathy Cantu

Julie Wirsche

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Friday, October 14, 2011

Meet Sarah Montemayor

Sarah is married and mother to 3 boys! Besides being a team leader for Journeys she also works as a veterinarian's assistant. We are so blessed to have Sarah on our team!

Meet Kathy Rios Cantu

Kathy (Rios) Cantu has a great history of serving children. When she isn't helping Journeys she works with foster children. Great gal with a great heart for children.

Meet Jennie Miller

Jennie Miller brings lots of talent to the Journeys Project. She studied at Shriner College and is looking forward to taking the next step of study towards her goal of becoming a youth minister. We are glad to have Jennie on our team!

Meet Laura Maxwell

Laura Maxwell is well known for her environmental programs for children and is a trusted friend to all of us at Journeys. Her sence of humor and grandmother's heart come in handy with the children we serve. Thank you Laura for working with us!

Meet Julianna Allen

We are thrilled to work with Julianna Allen. She graduated from Texas A&M in May 2010 with a Bachelor's in Biomedical Science. Avid swimmer and artist who enjoys working with watercolor and pen & ink. Future goal is to work with exotic animals in a zoo setting.

Meet Julie Wirsche

Julie is our newest team member. She graduated April 2011 with an Associate's in Digital Media Design from TSTC. She is passionate about art and enjoy utilizing both traditional and digital media -- in particular, charcoal and acrylic paints as well as using Photoshop for graphic designs. She also shares a great love for animals and their unique personalities. Some of her other hobbies are web design, blogging, and nature photography. We are so glad to have her on our team!

We Survived the Bon Non Survivor Character Challenge

What a great 6 weeks it has been transforming Rodriguez Elementary in Harlingen, Texas into the Island of Bon Non. Bon Non is island creole for Good Name. We have had nearly 80 2nd and 3rd graders participate and it has been a blast.

We had to adjust to many things but the team came through with shining colors as did the children who attended. I am proud to work with each and every one.

When I first started working with children, some 35+ years ago, I realized I was learning right along with them. Even now as a grandmother I am still learning.

For instance I learned:

1. That a magnet won't stick on a feather if a child has been licking it. That was a gross but sorta funny lesson.

2. Never miss a chance to teach. Even our snacks, stickers, and games all tie into our lesson for the day.

3. Never never tell a story without a visual aid/prop, handsigns, or group participation or there could be a mutiny!

4. I learned that 2nd and 3rd graders are full of kindness. There is one handicap boy in the club and they all pitch in to help him experience everything they are doing whether its a game or craft. Very heartwarming to watch.

4. If you hand a boy anything they will attempt to hit the boy next to them with it. I guess the old saying "give a boy a hammer and they are going to hit something" is true! I had never seen dueling licorice sticks before and I thought I'd seen it all!

I have enjoyed helping children learn that a good name is more important than being rich or famous. I loved watching their faces as the 2 tribes shouted their tribal call: "I have a good name!" and "My name is good!"

Next Bon Non travels to Bowie Elementary! Get ready for the fun Sarah Montemayor and Laura Maxwell!

Schedule

Mar. 1 Wild About Texas Wildlife Laguana Madre Christian Academy, Laguna Vista TX

Feb. 11 - Los Fresnos Teddy Bear Tea

Oct. 27 - Begin 6 weeks of Part I Survivor Character Challenge at Bowie Elementary

Oct. 27 - Begin 6 weeks of Art in an Hour at Gutierrez Middle School

Oct. 24 - Begin 6 weeks of Part II of Survivor Character Challenge at Rodriquez Elementary.

Sept. 10th - Foster Family Blue Zoo Day at Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville Texas

Sept. 12 - Begin 6 weeks of Part I Survivor Character Challenge at Rodriquez Elementary

Oct. 12 - Garden Angel at Town and Country Garden Club