About Kids Share Workshops
Our Mission Statement
We empower teens at Kids Share Workshops, LLC, and our umbrella nonprofit, Kids Share Publishing, Inc. We provide English language instruction through creative activities, bridging gaps in education. Teenagers become published authors, participate in creating documentary films, and share updates on their websites. Their stories are powerful tools that inspire and educate, showcasing the impact of our work and the significance of their voices.
Our primary mission is to help shape future change-makers. Today, we are mainly focused on the refugee epidemic and are looking at creative ways to help the younger populations find solutions to help strengthen their countries from within.
Kids Share Workshops
KSW works alongside nonprofits and schools, helping youth unite through a guided group therapeutic workshop. KSW is taught both domestically and internationally in a cross-cultural community setting.
The results empower students to move past roadblocks through storytelling, self-awareness, practical problem-solving, optimism, empathy, and compassion, positively impacting their lives and community as they learn English as a Second Language.
Therapeutic Writing Curriculum
The therapeutic Writing Curriculum (KSW) is the workshop’s primary focus. Constructed using a Story-Bridge model, this curriculum has been designed by child Therapists, Social Workers, Educators, and Kristina Applegate, an ESOL certified teacher and founder. The Story-Bridge model is a unique approach that guides children to write the end of their story first (only a positive outcome), next the beginning of the story (where they are today), and finally, the middle (problem-solving/to reach the end goal). This model has proven to be highly effective in helping children express themselves and develop problem-solving skills. The results are always inspiring! Please read below about other workshop activities.
Therapeutic Art Projects
Paper art, Abstract Portraits, and Co-Created Murals are the workshop’s primary art focus. Kristina Applegate, ESL teacher and the founder, was inspired by Eric Carle, author and illustrator of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” to create a workshop that is educational but also fun and creative. This workshop brings together children from the USA with their foreign counterparts, using art and writing as a fantastic way for youth to connect from around the globe. Students not only learn to co-create beautiful designs used in their artwork, much like Eric Carle’s designs but also gain valuable educational and creative experiences that are at the heart of our workshop. Kristina’s professional illustrations and art-directed community pieces incorporate children’s paper art from domestic and worldwide Kids Share Workshops, making this a truly engaging and inspiring artistic journey!
Psychological Framework Story-Bridge
Solution-Focused Therapy “Elements of the desired solution are usually already present in the person’s life.”
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) is designed to assist individuals with change by constructing solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Elements of the desired solution are usually already present in the person’s life and become the basis for ongoing change. Individuals are encouraged to imagine the future they want, and then his/her team support collaborate on a series of steps to achieve that goal. This therapy involves developing a vision of one’s future and then determining what skills, resources, and abilities a person already possesses that can be enhanced to attain the desired outcome.
Existential Therapy
“Individuals create their own meaning.”
Existential Therapy emphasizes the importance of the here-and-now and considers that the person is in a constant process of becoming through “choosing,” “valuing,” “accepting,” and “rejecting.” The existential approach recognizes that individuals can have extensive experiences and possess the inner freedom to become the person they choose to become. Existential Therapy is open-minded and does not limit individuals through pre-established categories and interpretations.
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
“Behavior change results from a change in one’s thoughts and beliefs.”
Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic intervention that focuses on changing a person’s behavior by changing her or his thoughts and perceptions. This approach encourages the person to step outside of any concerns and consider alternative perspectives on their concerns, which will allow for behavior change. CBT includes generating agreement on the target problems and establishing clarity around factors maintaining those problems.
Evidence-Based
Below is one of many recent and unique examples of how we can measure success after a Kids Share Workshop.
Feedback after a Kids Share Workshop from La Touche in Togo, West Africa.
“The Togolese government just authorized visitation and activities back in the prisons. And you know what, this time since August, I got inspiration from your Kids Share Workshops in April by introducing a new approach to La Touche activities. We asked the inmates to draw and/or write their own stories, just like we learned with the Kids Share curriculum, and it was just amazing! With the art supplies left from your workshop, we used crayons, which proved therapeutic.
When you return someday to Togo, you will see the beautiful outcome! Kristina, you gave me new inspiration through your Kids Share Workshops. Please feel free to count this as a positive testimony from Sylvia Enyonam of La Touche. Thank you!”