Today I am getting a lesson plan ready to teach a very interesting group of young people.  We are going to make paper beads out of old magazines, junk mail, and scraps of wrapping paper. I am also making them each a copper pendant that they can decorate with colored pencil.

This is something I do to give back to my community, but in doing so I get so much in return.  The young men and women in the class have a really interesting perspective on life  and I enjoy listening to their stories.  Each of them faces challenges that I can’t imagine and they do it with grace, courage, and good humor.  Sometimes there are tears or anger, but no more than could be expected from anyone struggling with a difficult task. Their smiles when they see the beautiful things they have made more than make up for any despair that might creep in along the way.