June 2021 Interests Around the Centre

As our first year wrapped up, it was the perfect opportunity to take inventory of projects the Learners have been engaged in throughout this year. Passages is a mixture of adult/youth led classes and workshops as well as their own projects.

Within the centre Learners participated in

• Weekly Democratic meetings

• Weekly Mental Health Check-ins

• Financial Committee meetings

• Jack.org Community Chapter

• Excursions and outings across the city

• Zoom classes and workshops

• Connecting with local businesses

Then comes their own personal learning - the power of self-directed learning is evident when it's all laid out. Their education is authentic and framed in the context of their lives.

So much reading...

• books, comics, fan fiction, audiobooks, zines, tutorials, online articles and world events.

• Writing

  • essays, fanfiction, creative stories, journaling, spiritual writing, and presentations

• Handwork

  • crochet, sewing, embroidery, macrame and bracelet knotting

• Art

  • drawing, painting, clay work, plaster masks, digital art, hydro dip painting, jewellery, guitar building

• Entrepreneurship

  • website creation, domain purchasing, business planning, marketing

• Collaborative Gaming and Board Games

  • Minecraft, Among Us, Animal Crossing, Just Dance

  • Dungeons and Dragons, Mysterium, cards, trivia

• Music

  • guitar, piano, ukulele, drums, digital music, band collabs

• Talking and more talking about...

  • social injustices, racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ issues, the pandemic, challenging cultural norms, rights of individuals, support and caring for peers, BLM, justice, reconciliation, cancel culture, and simpler topics like plant and fish care, animals and life experiences.

So much went into our days at Passages, and while not everyone engaged in everything, what the space provided was exposure to peers doing really cool stuff! When they're given the freedom to share their passions, it's like a domino effect, and the interest starts to spread as others try on new experiences and share theirs.

There's no stopping the learning when young people are given space, time, and the trust to lead their learning.