Usually, when a large group of our youth gather in the chapel at the Spiritual Life Center for an activity, the noise level from excited chatter is quite high.

Sixteen-year-old Myles* was clearly in a bad mood when he arrived for Drum Circle in the music room at the Noel Education Center. Myles had been going through a major depression and hadn’t been engaging in much, but Drum Circle was a weekly therapy he enjoyed.

During the Christmas holiday season, our Special Therapies team works with our youth on a generosity project where they can use their creativity to show care for others. Traditionally, this project has included decorating stockings for staff members at the Champaign County Nursing Home.

During these challenging times, it can be difficult to find physical activities for our youth that comply with our safety and social distancing efforts, but our amazing Special Therapies team continues to do so time and time again.

For two straight weeks, Braylon* spent his creative expression sessions carefully creating plaster masks. When he came back the third week, he painted and decorated the masks and did so with great care and focus.

Yoga mats were rolled out onto the floor. The lights were low but flameless candles flickered in the center of the room. And the faint scent of lavender hung in the air. Fifteen-year-old Danielle* had just finished a Wise Inside yoga session at Cunningham Children’s Home and was feeling really good.

"I can’t get into the water, I can’t get into the water, I can’t get into the water," 14-year-old Jayson* said over and over again.

This following story was first published in our Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report, available now online.

It was collaboration at its finest.

Libby* sat on the bench with her arms folded and her head down. It was her first game as a member of Cunningham’s girls’ basketball team and while it was just the first half, she was frustrated with herself because she hadn’t scored.

“I don’t feel like I’m helping the team at all,” she told her coach.