We are More Alike Than Different: A Partnership through the Arts
Presentation Format
Interactive Workshop
Intended Audience
All Audiences
Presentation Description
The Life Enrichment Center (LEC)is dedicated to positive lifestyles for the people served. Positive opportunities, positive relationships, and positive attitudes create an atmosphere that inspires each person to reach his/her fullest potential. We envision a day when the community embraces individuals with developmental disabilities for our commonalities instead of our differences.
LEC serves 70+ individuals in Milledgeville, Georgia. Lives have been changed because of the innovative and creative opportunities made possible through a community-university partnership best know as "Creative Expressions". Creative Expressions programs allow individuals with developmental disabilities to experience a life filled with music, art, horticulture, photography, and dance as avenues to develop friendships, become self-advocates, and be viewed as valued members of their community. College students from Georgia College and participants from LEC work together to nurture these natural talents and dreams. Everyone is an equally contributing member, thus promoting opportunities for self-expression and social enhancement.. The students increase their understanding of others in the community, learn skills that enhance their academic education and provide practical applications for theoretical knowledge, and become engaged members of the community.
Creative Expressions was founded in 2000. Groups include "Harmonnette Handbells and Chorus, "Good Vibrations" drumming group, " Music in Motion, American Sign Language to Music, and "Jungle Royales" rock and roll group. These groups have Performed throughout the southeast with MT students leading and designing the performances. All members have ownership in the groups deciding repertoire and rehearsal strategies for a collaboration of ideas.
The goals of this presentation are for students, faculty, and participants of LEC to 1) provide a best practices model for community partnerships; 2) showcase the success of our partnership; 3) increase awareness of the potential of persons with developmental disabilities.
The audience will have first hand opportunities to experience the process of the groups led by music therapy students and participants of LEC by participating in a typical rehearsal. They will also watch clips from final performances to see the beautiful product that comes from the partnership.
Location
Room - 218/220
Start Date
4-15-2016 8:15 AM
End Date
4-15-2016 9:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Mercado, Chesley S. and Life Enrichment Center, "We are More Alike Than Different: A Partnership through the Arts" (2016). Gulf South Summit on Service-Learning 2016. 21.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gss/2016/2016/21
We are More Alike Than Different: A Partnership through the Arts
Room - 218/220
The Life Enrichment Center (LEC)is dedicated to positive lifestyles for the people served. Positive opportunities, positive relationships, and positive attitudes create an atmosphere that inspires each person to reach his/her fullest potential. We envision a day when the community embraces individuals with developmental disabilities for our commonalities instead of our differences.
LEC serves 70+ individuals in Milledgeville, Georgia. Lives have been changed because of the innovative and creative opportunities made possible through a community-university partnership best know as "Creative Expressions". Creative Expressions programs allow individuals with developmental disabilities to experience a life filled with music, art, horticulture, photography, and dance as avenues to develop friendships, become self-advocates, and be viewed as valued members of their community. College students from Georgia College and participants from LEC work together to nurture these natural talents and dreams. Everyone is an equally contributing member, thus promoting opportunities for self-expression and social enhancement.. The students increase their understanding of others in the community, learn skills that enhance their academic education and provide practical applications for theoretical knowledge, and become engaged members of the community.
Creative Expressions was founded in 2000. Groups include "Harmonnette Handbells and Chorus, "Good Vibrations" drumming group, " Music in Motion, American Sign Language to Music, and "Jungle Royales" rock and roll group. These groups have Performed throughout the southeast with MT students leading and designing the performances. All members have ownership in the groups deciding repertoire and rehearsal strategies for a collaboration of ideas.
The goals of this presentation are for students, faculty, and participants of LEC to 1) provide a best practices model for community partnerships; 2) showcase the success of our partnership; 3) increase awareness of the potential of persons with developmental disabilities.
The audience will have first hand opportunities to experience the process of the groups led by music therapy students and participants of LEC by participating in a typical rehearsal. They will also watch clips from final performances to see the beautiful product that comes from the partnership.
Program Abstract
We believe "we are more alike than different". Over the past 15 years Georgia College Creative Arts Therapies Department has been the catalyst that has helped change the mindset of a community who once believed individuals with disabilities should be institutionalized to a community that embraces the concept that "We are more alike than different". This interactive session will feature Georgia College music therapy faculty and students and participants and staff from The Life Enrichment Center discussing the process of the innovative partnership "Creative Expressions" and showcasing the beautiful performance that is the result of friendships formed, music and arts shared, and a bond that lasts a life time.