Building Confidence and Connection
From students
“I feel so comfortable and relaxed here.”
“Very fun! Made new friends and got closer to the ones I already had. It gave me a chance to really find out just how creative I could be and it let us all think about things more and talk about them. There were tons of options for things to do, and it helped me discover new interests (for example, I love making masks now). You can speak about anything here, we all feel comfortable talking to each other about so many things. This club helped with my mental health, helped me discover new things about myself, and helped me to become more social. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I hope others get to come here too.”
“I love it so so so so so so so so so so MUCH!”
“I LOVE BEING HERE”
“I feel that my art is more meaningful and I don't feel that it has to be perfect.”
"I really liked it because I could really express myself."
"I loved it here and I would definitely come back because I felt safe here."
"Amazing, I can be myself."
"My thoughts on the class, it was so fun. I got some new and old friends. I got to laugh & express my feelings, sometimes I feel left out or people may look at me differently. But I realize it's ok to be different. My friends helped me feel happy. They made me laugh til my stomach hurt."
"I got more friends and more confident in myself."
“I feel so comfortable and relaxed here.”
“Very fun! Made new friends and got closer to the ones I already had. It gave me a chance to really find out just how creative I could be and it let us all think about things more and talk about them. There were tons of options for things to do, and it helped me discover new interests (for example, I love making masks now). You can speak about anything here, we all feel comfortable talking to each other about so many things. This club helped with my mental health, helped me discover new things about myself, and helped me to become more social. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I hope others get to come here too.”
“I love it so so so so so so so so so so MUCH!”
“I LOVE BEING HERE”
“I feel that my art is more meaningful and I don't feel that it has to be perfect.”
"I really liked it because I could really express myself."
"I loved it here and I would definitely come back because I felt safe here."
"Amazing, I can be myself."
"My thoughts on the class, it was so fun. I got some new and old friends. I got to laugh & express my feelings, sometimes I feel left out or people may look at me differently. But I realize it's ok to be different. My friends helped me feel happy. They made me laugh til my stomach hurt."
"I got more friends and more confident in myself."
From parents
“Our son has participated for several weeks and looks forward to it daily. Connor and Allison are excellent - I highly recommend their offerings for any family! We are so lucky to have this available for our kids!"
"My daughter was so excited and was up and eager to leave and when she came home she would talk a million miles a minute on what she did, who she hung out with and wanted to show me all her art. Then would ask when can she do it again."
"I just wanted to send a follow up email on our experience with the team that put together this amazing opportunity for my daughter. I truly feel it did really help her come out of her shell, she made more friends, got to do what she loves and wants to know when she can do it again. The fact that the children got to express themselves in a safe and loving environment in a smaller group setting was wonderful. We both loved that it gave her an opportunity to do something extra special on her summer break."
"My son loved the class and said many times “they’re the best teachers! They really like helping us!” Wow! As another educator who is in love with teaching and the kiddos, I thought you might want to hear the feedback. I’m also amazed at how you weaved creativity and self care/SEL together, very seamlessly."
"As I have said before she absolutely loved this class and she wants to get as involved as she can. I will support her in whatever she wants to do. She wants to be an Artist once she grows up and the adults in this class have made themselves into heroes in her eyes. Thank you so much."
"All I know is that my daughter has NEVER like after school programs, but she absolutely loved this one. I asked her what she thought and this is what she said. Her favorite thing about the program was that you offered choices and let the kids make the decisions rather than making them do things. She also loved that she was able to be openly creative. She said her teachers were nice and cool. I'm just happy she actually found something she likes. Thank you so much for bringing the brightness out of her!"
"Allison Paradise of The Epicenter was better than amazing with my son, Luke. He is a new 11-year old with a bunch of social cognitive diagnoses, as well as very hyperactive ... Allison was able to help channel that energy into productive, focused, wonderful, imaginative, and inventive play. She created an open container, a canvas with which he could truly explore what's going on in and with Luke."
"We have never met anyone who cares more about sharing the beauties of the world and less about what's going on in the world than Allison. She encourages kids to explore the natural world in a way that feels right to them and not stick to the status quo. She wants kids to take the lead in their learning and explore ideas that fascinate them. She truly is a breath of fresh air for children’s education."
“Our son has participated for several weeks and looks forward to it daily. Connor and Allison are excellent - I highly recommend their offerings for any family! We are so lucky to have this available for our kids!"
"My daughter was so excited and was up and eager to leave and when she came home she would talk a million miles a minute on what she did, who she hung out with and wanted to show me all her art. Then would ask when can she do it again."
"I just wanted to send a follow up email on our experience with the team that put together this amazing opportunity for my daughter. I truly feel it did really help her come out of her shell, she made more friends, got to do what she loves and wants to know when she can do it again. The fact that the children got to express themselves in a safe and loving environment in a smaller group setting was wonderful. We both loved that it gave her an opportunity to do something extra special on her summer break."
"My son loved the class and said many times “they’re the best teachers! They really like helping us!” Wow! As another educator who is in love with teaching and the kiddos, I thought you might want to hear the feedback. I’m also amazed at how you weaved creativity and self care/SEL together, very seamlessly."
"As I have said before she absolutely loved this class and she wants to get as involved as she can. I will support her in whatever she wants to do. She wants to be an Artist once she grows up and the adults in this class have made themselves into heroes in her eyes. Thank you so much."
"All I know is that my daughter has NEVER like after school programs, but she absolutely loved this one. I asked her what she thought and this is what she said. Her favorite thing about the program was that you offered choices and let the kids make the decisions rather than making them do things. She also loved that she was able to be openly creative. She said her teachers were nice and cool. I'm just happy she actually found something she likes. Thank you so much for bringing the brightness out of her!"
"Allison Paradise of The Epicenter was better than amazing with my son, Luke. He is a new 11-year old with a bunch of social cognitive diagnoses, as well as very hyperactive ... Allison was able to help channel that energy into productive, focused, wonderful, imaginative, and inventive play. She created an open container, a canvas with which he could truly explore what's going on in and with Luke."
"We have never met anyone who cares more about sharing the beauties of the world and less about what's going on in the world than Allison. She encourages kids to explore the natural world in a way that feels right to them and not stick to the status quo. She wants kids to take the lead in their learning and explore ideas that fascinate them. She truly is a breath of fresh air for children’s education."
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[email protected] The Epicenter, Grand Haven, MI & Santa Cruz, CA |
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