Programs and Services

Creative Expression

In this area, consumers are provided the opportunity to express themselves through the arts. While working with a variety of mediums, consumers develop fine motor skills and eye/hand coordination. Our Learning Consultants work hard to find appropriate seasonal activities that are often functional as well as decorative.

In the same room at any given time, you might find a consumer painting a seasonal art sheet with watercolors, someone else making a necklace by stringing beads, and another consumer transforming something simple like a shoebox into a beautiful box for treasures.

We give consumers the chance to make gifts for loved ones at holidays such as Christmas, Mother’s Day, and their friends' and families' birthdays. It is extremely gratifying to see the pride and sense of accomplishment in a consumer’s face when a project is completed!

Program participants are also encouraged to stay connected with their past and celebrate the present by creating a scrapbook to be enjoyed with friends and relatives. We take digital pictures nearly every day. Consumers can help download the pictures and then can print off their choice of background paper from scrapbooking internet sites. As they glue pictures on each page, they reminisce about the story behind the photo and thoroughly enjoy showing their scrapbooks to others.

We are fortunate enough to have a talented seamstress as one of our Learning Consultants. She has cultivated an interest in sewing and has taught many consumers the art of stitching. Some have made pillows, others made baskets to hang on their walkers and wheelchairs, and still others have made small quilts. Fine motor skills are being increased with every single stitch that is pulled through the material. Making one’s own choice is important and encouraged with these projects. Consumers are able to choose their own material, color of thread, and final goal. For most of them, this is the very first time they have ever had the opportunity to sew, and it has become quite a hit! For those who are unable to pull a needle through the material, staff have sewn pillows by helping the consumer push the foot pedal on the sewing machine. We have several pillows available. Feel free to stop by and ask to see one of our creations!

For more information about Creative Expression, please contact UCP at (816) 364-3836 or send an e-mail.

http://www.ucpnwmo.org
Updated: 07/01/2008