Hi, my name is Jess, and today I’m feeling blessed.
I am blessed to teach with outstanding artists/colleagues/friends who continue to push me to become a better artist/colleague/friend. And who train with me, who make me laugh, who give me crap for my robot dance moves, who make me vegetables, who Skype me from far off lands, who praise me for my circle-taping skills, who take me down a notch when appropriate, who validate me, who keep me balanced. Here is ONE example of the MANY blessings of my coworkers: my very own triathlon theme song by Dylan Fresco and Anton Jones!
I am blessed to have bosses/friends who are vividly passionate about this organization that they founded, who support me in all I do and who invite me into their home for holidays when I can’t make it back to my parents’ home.
I am blessed to work with an Associate Director/friend who helps nurture my writing skills, bikes with me and listens.
I am blessed to work with administrative rock stars/friends who keep me in check and in paycheck (and there's usually some good fun mixed in there too!).
I am blessed that so many friends and family members have supported me in Swim. Bike. Run. Try. by donating to Upstream Arts. Thank you.
I am blessed that our office is located within Pillsbury House + Theatre, where I have been a part of Chicago Avenue Project for six years, where the whole community center is arts-integrated and where the theatre programming delights me year after year (I’m listening to Jomama Jones as I write this!). Especially blessed that our friends at Full Cycle lent me a bike for the triathlon! Please check out all of the amazing work that happens at the intersection of 35th and Chicago in South Minneapolis!
I am blessed with all of these members of my community, but what seals the deal for me is that I am blessed to share experiences with people/friends of all abilities. The mission of Upstream Arts is to enhance the lives of adults and youth with disabilities by fostering creative communication and social independence through the power of arts education. We believe that the arts are uniquely suited to act as a tool to teach and learn the complicated nuances of social interaction and communication; and that artistic experiences nurture growth, leading to individuals who are better able to live, work and make positive contributions to our society.
Since I began working with Upstream Arts, I have seen the direct impact of the arts on the lives of the individuals we serve. I have also seen the direct impact of this work on my life. I truly believe that I am better able to live, work and make positive contributions to our society because of this work.
I am proud, ecstatic, and humbled to be a part of the Upstream Arts community. I’ve never felt that continuously about a job. Two years, three months, and these feelings are still going strong. Strong enough to Swim. Bike. Run. Try.
I am blessed.
I am blessed to teach with outstanding artists/colleagues/friends who continue to push me to become a better artist/colleague/friend. And who train with me, who make me laugh, who give me crap for my robot dance moves, who make me vegetables, who Skype me from far off lands, who praise me for my circle-taping skills, who take me down a notch when appropriate, who validate me, who keep me balanced. Here is ONE example of the MANY blessings of my coworkers: my very own triathlon theme song by Dylan Fresco and Anton Jones!
I am blessed to have bosses/friends who are vividly passionate about this organization that they founded, who support me in all I do and who invite me into their home for holidays when I can’t make it back to my parents’ home.
I am blessed to work with an Associate Director/friend who helps nurture my writing skills, bikes with me and listens.
I am blessed to work with administrative rock stars/friends who keep me in check and in paycheck (and there's usually some good fun mixed in there too!).
I am blessed that so many friends and family members have supported me in Swim. Bike. Run. Try. by donating to Upstream Arts. Thank you.
I am blessed that our office is located within Pillsbury House + Theatre, where I have been a part of Chicago Avenue Project for six years, where the whole community center is arts-integrated and where the theatre programming delights me year after year (I’m listening to Jomama Jones as I write this!). Especially blessed that our friends at Full Cycle lent me a bike for the triathlon! Please check out all of the amazing work that happens at the intersection of 35th and Chicago in South Minneapolis!
I am blessed with all of these members of my community, but what seals the deal for me is that I am blessed to share experiences with people/friends of all abilities. The mission of Upstream Arts is to enhance the lives of adults and youth with disabilities by fostering creative communication and social independence through the power of arts education. We believe that the arts are uniquely suited to act as a tool to teach and learn the complicated nuances of social interaction and communication; and that artistic experiences nurture growth, leading to individuals who are better able to live, work and make positive contributions to our society.
Since I began working with Upstream Arts, I have seen the direct impact of the arts on the lives of the individuals we serve. I have also seen the direct impact of this work on my life. I truly believe that I am better able to live, work and make positive contributions to our society because of this work.
I am proud, ecstatic, and humbled to be a part of the Upstream Arts community. I’ve never felt that continuously about a job. Two years, three months, and these feelings are still going strong. Strong enough to Swim. Bike. Run. Try.
I am blessed.