Pythia Arts Center for Social Change

09/04/2015

Yesterday we arranged for an internship with Youth Radio in Oakland for one of our young teenagers. He is really talented and creative, so I am very curious as to what will happen with this new adventure. Now he is going to have to figure out how to balance school, football, and a radio show. Heh.
We also held one-on-ones with some sweeties for homework. A piano lesson and dance class broke up homework time as a way to re-boot the nervous system after struggling with new vocabulary. We read together "A Time of Wonder" by Robert McCloskey, which was my favorite book when I was a little girl, and some Shel Silverstein. The children were fed food that was donated by the Anderson family. We also acted as the neighborhood taxi/ambulance for those needing to go to the hospital, and pick up their children.We are going to need to get one of those small buses with a wheelchair lift eventually.

03/23/2015

So far, this year has included field trips to see Cirque du Soleil, attendance at the Theatre Bay Area General Auditions with a backstage tour afterwards, trips to see a performance of Scott Wells and Dancers and a performance of Dame Edna, hikes in the forest, yoga, art classes, swimming at the East Oakland Sports Center, trips to the library (with old fines taken care of, and new library cards obtained), field trips to restaurants of different cultures and economic statures and teaching appropriate etiquette and table manners, homework, birthday parties, tumbling classes, and dance classes. And, the addition of Cleo, a street kitty who held vigil outside our front door one night, and passionately insisted on living with us...for half an hour. She was spayed last Tuesday and is recovering just fine, as you can see; she is the kitty lying on her back. The other kitty is Samantha Sweetiepie, another street kitty that was brought to us by good friends. Part of our work here is neighborhood advocacy for animal rights, and our three loving kitties are a vital part of it...showing how to care for animals, and nurturing a respect for all forms of life, especially the lives of those vulnerable and reliant upon us, are important steps towards ending violence and abuse, and connecting children to their hearts. Watching pets being killed, lying dead in the street, or taken away by animal control due to abuse, over and over and over again, can be heart-numbing.

02/12/2014

We are so proud of our warrior, fighting in the heat of a blinding sun. Thanks to all who are supporting our effort to find innovative, effective approaches towards community development and healing. It really does take a village to accomplish such a monumental effort from a child.

12/27/2013

Saturday we had an amazing time with the children when Santa came through... The kids really enjoyed the party..

12/23/2013

We had a huge party where we made sugar cookies from scratch and then each child created different frostinged designs and flavors.

12/21/2013

Followed by a slumber
Party and a pancake breakfast!

12/21/2013

And of course, we took lots of breaks with much dancing and fun!

12/21/2013

We celebrate events and holidays over a number of days here at the Oak Tree Arts Center. Christmas festivities started yesterday at 4pm with christmas tree mounting and decorating. 5-year old May-May and 12-year old Rufus helped with the shopping. May-May arranged the birds and the nests.

12/14/2013

Too cool.

09/27/2013

She is feeling shy, but she is real, and she is true. This is Sasha, our new intern who is in the third grade. She helps us out at the Oak Tree Arts Center a couple of times a week. As part of her internship, she is learning how to keep a timesheet, count money, and save up for things, as well as learning about all of the elements of creating a dance production, and nutritious cooking. She also receives help with her homework, and dance classes. At home, she helps to take care of five younger brothers and sisters.

This is the piggy bank that holds her earnings that we keep in a secret place, named Isabella. She doesn't get to share it with anyone else. Sasha already has created a wish list.

08/04/2013

We wholeheartedly concur.

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

07/10/2013

This website is now showing a video of a very informative documentary...if you have a few moments. It was shown a little while ago on PBS, and we are trying to obtain the DVD to share with Options Recovery Services in Berkeley. http://www.eachmindmatters.org/

Hundreds of organizations & millions of individuals working together to create a California where Each Mind Matters. This movement belongs to all of us.