Hooked on Crochet: Reducing Stress and Serving the Homeless
Help me give my students crocheting supplies for a community service project. Students will make hats and scarves for a homeless shelter and/or blankets for the Linus Project which serves sick or traumatized children.
Most of my students have endured enormous economic, social and emotional challenges. One of the students involved in my project has been a victim of sex trafficking. Several of my students suffer from depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I am continually inspired by the character, resilience and perseverance shown by these students, many of whom have been exposed to gun violence, incarceration of family members, physical and sexual abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, and all forms of neglect.
My Project
So many of the students from my school have experienced significant stress and trauma. Crocheting provides an opportunity for stress relief and increases self esteem. Because many of our students live below the poverty level, they are not able to purchase their own supplies so I am asking DonorsChoose.org to help me purchase hooks, needles and yarn.
Last year I started a Crochet Club (which I funded), which was a very popular activity with over 30 students participating.
This year I am turning the Club into a community service project in which we will make hats and scarves for a local homeless shelter or blankets for the Linus Project, which provides blankets for sick or traumatized children. Students will be motivated to participate because they are required to do community service hours. They will benefit from the good feelings that come from helping others and at the same time they will learn a skill that will help them to relax and to cope with the stress in their own lives.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Kelly and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.