Gio Cannegieter Gio Cannegieter

New intern Juri!

Hi everyone! My name is Jurie Matsumoto, and I grew up in Fukuoka, Japan. However, I
studied abroad in Korea for seven years and in the US for two and a half years. I am
currently a senior at Temple University on the Japan campus, majoring in International
Affairs. I am passionate about various cultures and international relations worldwide. I am
eager to contribute my skills to support YouMeWe's mission, particularly in fostering
positive outcomes for children leaving foster care and promoting international
understanding. I look forward to working as a team member at YouMeWe.

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Kevin Kinno Kevin Kinno

New intern Julissa!

Hello Everyone! My name is Julissa Uriostegui, and I am thrilled to be joining YouMeWe in Tokyo as an intern. Growing up in Mexico's vibrant culture has deeply ingrained an appreciation for diverse perspectives and community involvement in me. Currently, as a Senior at Temple University Japan majoring in International Business, I am captivated by the field's potential to bridge global economic dynamics with cultural diversity.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of YouMeWe's dedicated team. My passion for making a difference in the lives of children, especially those in foster care, drives my commitment to this role. I look forward to contributing to YouMeWe's mission of supporting and empowering children in care towards a positive future through education.

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Kevin Kinno Kevin Kinno

New intern Gio!

Hello! My name is Gio Cannegieter, I am a Junior at Temple University Japan Campus majoring in psychological studies and minoring in general business studies. After I graduate, I wish to pursue a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology at a graduate school. In my time here at YouMeWe, I hope to gain valuable first-hand experience by participating in an organization that makes a difference in the world.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

YouMeWe Charity Gala Dinner: An Evening of Compassion and Impact

YouMeWe Charity Gala Dinner: An Evening of Compassion and Impact

Register for YouMeWe’s Charity Gala Dinner, discover how they’re making a difference for underprivileged youth, and check out the event’s silent auction items.


In celebration of the work of YouMeWe, a non-profit organization which has improved opportunities for underprivileged children through emotional and academic support programs, a gala dinner will be held. Attendees can expect a night of entertainment and enlightenment through a series of videos and presentations, accompanied by food and music. During the evening, the NPO hopes to raise awareness of its distinctive approach to aiding all children, regardless of their financial situation, and expanding their horizons.

YouWeMe’s Mission: Transforming Young Lives



YouWeMe is a non-profit organization which works to level the playing field for children who have been deprived of parental support, or do not have the financial backing that can guide them through life. Anchored in that philosophy, YouMeWe has developed methods to nurture these children and prepare them for bright futures, featuring a series of programs to stimulate them academically and emotionally. These programs are geared to encourage digital literacy, in recognition of the importance of this skill in a 21st-century world. Collectively, these programs work to achieve YouMeWe’s cardinal mission: to lead these children to either attending university or technical school, or securing a decent job by the age of 18.

Learn more about YouMeWe: here

Gala Event




On November 21, YouMeWe will host a gala to celebrate the organization’s effort, to thank donors and volunteers for their contributions, and recognize some of the children that the organization supports. Upon entering the 22nd floor of the Salesforce Japan building, guests will be presented with spectacular views of the Imperial Palace and Gardens. The floor is named the Ohana Floor, which is the Hawaiian word for family and is a fitting setting for how YouWeMe is redefining the concept. Along with music, videos, and presentations showcasing the different skills the organization teaches, a spotlight will be placed on the Mark Bell Scholarship Fund, which supports children’s tuition costs. The dress code for the event will be semi-formal.


The night will culminate with a silent auction and raffle, during which attendees can win a variety of prizes. YouMeWe also encourages recommendations for other items to include during the silent auction and raffle, and welcomes any items from attendees who wish to offer them.

The items being auctioned include:

  • Sapphire and diamond earrings

  • A Freddie Mercury giclée limited edition print

  • A vacation stay in Vienna for four nights, for two guests

  • A microphone signed by Taylor Swift

  • A vacation stay on the Amalfi Coast for three nights, for four guests

  • A framed football signed by Christiano Ronaldo

  • 5-star Singapore F1 GP 2024 tickets for two people

  • Five nights at a Niseko slope-side chalet for eight

  • Signed and framed Metallica guitar

Presentations & Speeches

Virtuous Spiral 5-Year Plan

This gala marks YouMeWe’s conclusion of its Virtual Spiral 5-year plan, which is dedicated to ensuring children’s health and technology skills. Launched in 2019, the plan consists of five concentrations:

  • Education: Mentoring, certification, navigation

  • Health: Prevention, diagnoses, treatment

  • Access: Resources, connectivity, networking

  • Security: Person, property, data

  • Results: A job, creativity, innovation, giving back, retirement

Founder Michael Clemons explained that this program has seen dramatic success: “When we started in this space 5 percent of the homes had Wi-Fi access and I think that 100 percent have access now. Only 9 percent would go on to college vs the national average of 60 percent and that figure is well into the double digits now. The 35 percent who were two grade levels behind their peers is a group that we realize we need to continue to help either through scholarships, coaching, or recruitment.”

Empower Village

YouWeMe recognizes the lasting impact its volunteers have on these young people. Acknowledging this responsibility, Clemons emphasizes that “it is very important to be consistent in the children's lives while they live with principals who retire and staff who rotate. In many ways, YouMeWe is the only consistency they have had in their lives over the years into adulthood.” Based on the adage that “it takes a village to raise a child,” the harmony of a collective support system of volunteers who have a resounding impact on children’s lives will be introduced at the gala as “Empower Village.” 

The Mark Bell Scholarship Fund 

Posthumously named after Mark Alan Bell, in recognition of his service and philanthropy, the Mark Bell Scholarship Fund’s prime mission is to cover the financial needs of underprivileged children in their post-secondary education. During the evening, YouMeWe hopes to bring awareness to the work and impact this fund has on its beneficiaries, as well as collecting funds. 

Mark Alan Bell

At this upcoming “FUNraiser,” YouMeWe wants attendees to understand the necessity of their work. Clemons explained: “We hope to continue to raise awareness on how people can share their time and skill sets.” For Clemons, these support systems and the impact of a caring adult presence are priceless, and at the heart of the organization’s mission.

YouMeWeNPO FUNraiser

Date: Tuesday, November 21
Venue: Ohana Floor, Salesforce Japan Building, 1-1-3, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Price: ¥15,000–30,000
Tickets:
https://3007.zaiko.io/item/359859

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Hope in Action: YouMeWe's Approach to Transforming Young Lives

Hope in Action: YouMeWe's Approach to Transforming Young Lives

Discover how this dynamic NPO supports children in care homes emotionally and academically, while preparing them for bright futures. 


By Jake Benjamin Roiter

Expanding the opportunities of underprivileged children is the mission that inspires YouMeWe, a non-profit organization (NPO) based in Tokyo. Since 2007, it has been providing support through volunteer staff for young people living in children’s homes across Japan. The NPO has a unique approach to expanding these children’s horizons, including offering financial aid collected through various charitable fundraisers, as well as providing programs which aim to promote digital literacy. The NPO has improved the lives of many children, many of whom have already become successful adults, and they invite you to celebrate their impactful work at a charity gala dinner

Leveling the Playing Field 

The fundamental idea behind YouMeWe is leveling the playing field for financially underprivileged children. Recognizing the challenges that come with poverty, the organization’s volunteer staff work directly with children to nurture their social and emotional development. This brings to life the famous phrase, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and inspires the organization’s personnel, who play active roles in each child’s life and development, sometimes beginning from infancy. 

The origin of YouMeWe goes back to founder Michael Clemons’s experience playing Santa in 2007, and being exposed to the reality of orphans and orphanages. “In 2007 we spent time with the kids and I was taken aback at how the children never asked for anything, even when we took them to Disneyland. I hated this as I felt that they deep down did not feel deserving and it was counter to all the other children in the Disney gift shop throwing things over both shoulders into their carts.” 

On the left is Michael Clemons, the founder of YouMeWe

This propelled him into philanthropic work with children that benefits them in the long run rather than just keeping them afloat. One key element Clemons discovered would help these children develop skills for adulthood is through technology and digital literacy. By expanding their technical skills and maximizing their access to modern technology, children are prepared for careers in the digital age. In 2008, YouMeWe began installing one computer and printer in a few homes. Going forward, over 1,000 computers strong, the NPO’s Digital Citizenship Program teaches 21st century skills.

Clemons points out that having access to technology is an asset: “Children want to learn in a curious and experiential way, not being talked at in a Socratic classroom environment. By using technology, it is something they can come back to again and again and improve.”

Safeguarding and Support 

The mission of YouMeWe is to lead these children to either attending university or technical school, or securing a decent job by the age of 18. Therefore, developing academic skill-sets is a necessity. YouMeWe helps students discover opportunities to maximize their potential through tutoring, internship opportunities and academic transfer counseling 

These academically motivated programs are buttressed by support programs which together add to children’s opportunities to become productive and financially independent young adults. For children undergoing post-traumatic stress, YouMeWe pursues the best approach, which is tailored to each child. This usually includes introducing them to coaches, counselors at Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL), or psychiatrists.

Gala Event

On November 21, YouMeWe will host an evening to celebrate the organization’s efforts, thank donors and volunteers for their support, and provide beneficiaries with delightful entertainment. On the Ohana Floor at the top of Salesforce Japan’s building, attendees will take in a breathtaking view of the Imperial Palace and Gardens, while enjoying music and videos showcasing the different skills taught to children. There will be presentations detailing the Mark Bell Scholarship and to introduce the “empower village” philosophy that inspires the organization. There will also be a silent auction and raffle prizes. 

Through this gala dinner, YouMeWe hopes to continue to raise awareness about how people can share their time and skill sets. At this “FUNraiser,” YouMeWe wants attendees to try the skills they teach.

Looking into the future of YouMeWe, Clemons’ spotlights how the organization is working to refine their approaches to supporting children. He recognizes that YouMeWe needs to appeal from a top-down approach, aligning with the principles in homes and opening their eyes to what the organization aims to achieve. Furthermore, because a consistent adult presence is crucial in the lives of children, Clemons emphasizes the need for volunteers willing to commit. YouMeWe relies on dedicated volunteers who are passionate about aiding the underprivileged, and giving children the support and attention they need and deserve. 

And for Clemons, this is the most important thing for these young people. “The children do not grow up and remember the presents they got at birthdays and Christmas, but rather when an adult took the time to make them feel like their lives mattered.”

Learn more about becoming a YouWeMe volunteer here: https://youmewenpo.org/programs 

YouWeMeNPO FUNraiser

Date: Tuesday, November 21
Venue: Salesforce Tower Tokyo
Price: ¥15,000–30,000

To purchase tickets or for more information about YouMeWe’s event, visit: https://3007.zaiko.io/item/359859 

 

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

A very special Thank you to GOConnect

For all of your support from day one of meeting you. Especially around the promotion of the FUNraiser to the Digital Citizens who follow your work.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Thank you Robert Walters Japan

We truly appreciate your continued support. We had a chance to visit with our Ambassadors who explained how meeting YouMeWe when they were teenagers helped shape their futures. Also, how it has come full circle as they too are teaching skills sets in the homes themselves.

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Kevin Kinno Kevin Kinno

Thank you AWS!

We express our sincere gratitude to Amazon Web Services (AWS) ID&E Innovation Fund for their grant, ensuring YouMeWe continues empowering kids all over Japan, Brazil, and the Philippines.

This grant allows us to continue our mission to make a positive social impact.

We also would like to thank supervisory board member Francesco Frova for helping us with all the steps and introducing us to the AWS fund.

Your donation is an investment in the future of our community, and we are honored to have your support.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

YouMeWe Team.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Move for Mental Health: Tokyo Tower Climb 2023 for TELL

For many years we have kept a close relationship with TELL due to the needs of the aged out youth and their mental health.

We do not know if they reach out to them but as an asset of the community, we make sure they know they are not alone and especially if things get to be more than one can handle on their own..

We also held a video series with the staff of the homes and professionals at TELL to explain the importance of their roles as caregivers for the children, many of whom have suffered trauma.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Life Connection at Lake Yamanaka with St.Joseph's children

We visited Salesforce who created Love Letter Flashcards which were then gifted to the children at St.Francis.

We had over 12 children (champions) and just as many adults join us at Lake Yamanaka to firstly take a bike ride around the lake with the children and then introduced them to the many skill sets at YouMeWe which the younger children have not seen since COVID.

The volunteers worked with the kids, rode bikes, ate ice cream and then after a BBQ we sat and talked to the kids about our careers to inspire them to have their own dreams.

YouMeWe Volunteer (Diplomats) comments:

" Thank you for letting me join. It was such a precious experience."

"It was a lot of fun"

"Thank you for letting us be a part of this"

After breakfast on Sunday, we headed to a mochi rice field for each child paired with an adult cut down the rice stalks which were hung for drying and this was followed by a bento lunch before heading home. Another great experience to see how challenging it is to get rice on the table.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Life Connection with Amazonians of Amazon Japan and champions of Matsubaen

We held a futsal tournament with the champions of Matsubaen.

Some children who are six years old had just arrived a week before at Matsubaen and had their first volunteer event on the Futsal court.

Amazonians sat with the kids as there were many matches over 2 hours followed by a lunch with the children who get to choose what they want to eat which is a special treat.

We then visited Amazon Japan offices who hosted IFCA (International Foster Care Alliance) to discuss Permanency Packs for the kids who age out of the homes and YouMeWe received a donation and 30 backpacks which have been sent to various homes in Japan.

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Kevin Kinno Kevin Kinno

Salesforce

Thank you Salesforce Professionals for making Love Letter flashcards for the children in the home we support!

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Thank you CityFootball Group

They were aware that for their games in Japan, there would be some prize money for Man of the Match awards in their games against Yokohama Marinos and Bayern Munich, kindly donated by Docomo and Meji Yasuda.

Unbeknownst to YouMeWe, we were selected to be a shared recipient of a donation of the prize money, should a Manchester City player be awarded the man of the match in the game against Bayern Munich.

They are pleased that Bernardo Silva was awarded Man of the Match in this game. 

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Kevin Kinno Kevin Kinno

Thank you Amazon Web Services (AWS)

We want to express our sincere gratitude for the donation.
Your generous support has been invaluable to our organization, it ensures that we can continue our journey of helping kids in Japan, Brazil, and the Philippines.

We cannot do what we do without the help of donors and companies in the community.

We all have a role to play in addressing the systemic challenges that underrepresented groups have historically faced. Amazon Web Services (AWS) understands the importance of providing passionate employees with the opportunity to do just that. The AWS Innovation Fund is a micro-grant program that awards funding to employees seeking to make a positive impact on racial and ethnic groups, people with physical and cognitive disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, women, and any intersection thereof by partnering with social impact organizations.

If you want to learn more please check:
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/how-aws-is-helping-its-employees-positively-impact-their-communities

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Thank you Salesforce

A big thank you to Salesforce for making Love Letter flashcards for the children in the home we support

https://lovelettersliteracy.org/

We have shipped to all the homes from our latest poll who have expressed interest in learning English.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Friday: A day in the life of YouMeWe NPO

Friday

Life Connection: Symposium in Nagoya for Abusive parent training

We visited Nagoya for their workshop of groups focused on retraining of abusive parents or the preventative training. They were able to obtain over 40,000 signatures to influence the government to make the training policy.

The founder of Youkikai father is in his 90s and one of the first foster care fathers in Nagoya. Over the course of decades, he has housed and raised over 50 children in addition to his own.

Currently in Nagoya, all foster parents have formed a group where they meet once a month as a support group for each other.

YouMeWe has supported some of the family’s with laptops as the youth are in school and flourish with the tools received in coding and their school work. We also have Life Connection Events like when Balloon Circus visited.






In addition to YouMeWe’s support Delinian, the group company of Institutional Investor has donated funds to Youkikai to work towards developing a Social Impact Bond where we can expand the work of Youkikai and reunite more children with their rehabilitated parents.

Over 3,000,000 children live in poverty in Japan as do most of the single parents. As if they are floating down the “river of poverty” from the mountain, we have been able to save 33,000 into orphanages and 14,000 into Foster Care but needless to say there are still 2,953,000 children continuing down the river.

205,029 child abuse cases reported last year up from 1,500 when the law required they be reporting in 1990.

The children protection center was built directly across the street from Youkikai’s headquarters in Nagoya. You can hear the young children sometimes too young to understand screaming “MA! MA! Why?” wondering where she is or why they have been detained here.

YouMeWe’s founder Michael Clemons visited Nagoya in 1989 for the first time when he came to Japan. His roommate in college mother is Japanese and father is American. His grandmother lived in Nagoya so on the first day of OBON, we stayed for several days.

In the morning she would be awake and grilling fat slices of toast on a griddle for the grandchildren when they woke but divided by language, she sat down in front of him and started to say “ka ki ku ke ko; ma mi mu me mo; sa shi su se so; ta chi tsu te to” in exchange once he realized what she was doing,, he would say the alphabet and she would repeat each letter after him.

Years later, back in the US when Apple computers came out with Japanese font, he thought that simply writing in English, it would translate to Japanese so wrote an 8 page letter thanking her for the visit and an update on what he was doing.

The 8 page letter of nonsense was received and taking from home to home trying to decipher the pages. Was it English sounded out in Hiragana? Was it something else?

Years later the American Chamber of Commerce was having their 25th anniversary of the walkathon and planned to raise 25,000,000 JPY that year. The proceeds were to also go to the then NPO Michael was managing. Though in the end the funds were raised the board of the NPO declined to take the funds so this became the seed for the CCF Community Children’s Fund which provides scholarships to orphaned children in the community.






Yearly YouMeWe meets with the scholars and aside from scholarships we are able to provide to some of the students from the Mark Bell scholarship, YouMeWe provides laptops to all of them as they start their careers in junior college or university.

Last year on children’s day, one of the 19 year old foster sons of the Youkikai founder took him to lunch on a Friday. He was now working and had bought his first car. He treated the foster father for the first time and thanked him for all the support he had given him over the years. He admitted that he had been bad but wanted to do good going forward.

The father was very proud of the day and the meal which was probably the only meal they had shared alone over the years as there are usually 25 people to feed at their home daily.

The next day at a symposium, the father received a phone call that the boy had been at a river with his friends for a BBQ and jumped in to swim. This river is notoriously dangerous and the boy’s body washed up downstream. 

Michael was out of the country at the time and received the news from Dan, one of the teachers. Not knowing which of the boys it was until much later.

When Michael returned to Japan, he made the journey after the funeral and after the ceremonies. Met at the station. Bowed to the father and hugged him. He said to a colleague that was the only hug he had received during the entire ordeal.

 Michael recalled how proud the boy was of himself and how after one of the visits when the boy had graduated from high school, the boy checked his phone for the weather forecast for him and as he drove away the boy waved the entire time until the car was blocks away and out of site. 

Today the boys biological mother joins the 25 people for meals as she is alone otherwise.






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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Wednesday, 16th August Day in the life of YouMeWe NPO

Wednesday

Sendai

We visited the baby home we did a toy drive for last Christmas. After many years of planning, they have opened a new facility and have asked for our help making an appeal to groups who can think of ways to help cover the rooftop so they babies are safe playing in that area.

This home houses babies from 0-6 years old. While they can run free on the rooftop fenced space, the chances of them hitting their head or falling down on the hard pavement is high.

We will be reaching out to CSR departments of donor companies and local volunteers for ideas.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Thursday: A day in the life of YouMeWe NPO

Thursday

Home visit: Tokyo Katei Gakko

We visited Tokyo Katei Gakko for the first time since they opened their new building. It was amazing to see. Not only the design but the concept and how the entrance to the living quarters is separate from the office entrance so they feel as though they are coming home.

They ring the doorbell and the staff buzz them into the building. Each floor has separate family pods and are in different colors so they feel unique. The kitchen is open planning so they can talk with the kids as they cook the meals.

The rooftop has a garden where the kids can play our run around. 


While Tōkyō Katei Gakko has been attending DAA Designing Artists Academy since 2008 they are more keen to have us come share meals with the children and get to know them this way than skills training sessions which come and go. 

The leadership group is in discussions on when we are able to start this arrangement so we are looking forward to this. 

They also feel the kids should be volunteering in the community therefore we are looking at further collaboration with other NPOs like HandsON Tokyo and/or Second Harvest.




Teaching online lessons in Wakamatsu Ryo

Everyone at YOUMEWE does their best to support the homes around Japan. On Thursdays and sometimes Fridays we teach programming lessons at Wakamatsu Ryo. We teach on demand when the staff needs us. On days when school ends early or when the rainy weather keeps the kids indoors. The lessons can last from an hour to three hours depending on what the staff need that day. We teach programming in a fun free form way where the kids have total control over what they make. The kids have made amazing programs and games over the years. Come rain or shine YOUMEWE will be here to support these kids when they need us.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Wednesday: A day in the life of YouMeWe NPO

Wednesday

DAA Salon: mural making and portraits

We visited St. Josephs for the day to focus on a fun day of art, photography, and fun. Volunteers and interns witnessed firsthand the power of art, camaraderie, and technology in fostering an environment of positivity and growth. From mural making to instant portrait photography, and a delightful pizza party to tech-driven playtime, the day was a heartwarming testament to the importance of human connection and self-expression.

Our first activity of the day was mural making – a collaborative endeavor that brought together children of all ages. Armed with brushes, paint, and an array of colors, we set out to transform a large panels of blank paper into a masterpiece. It was inspiring to see how each young child's unique perspective came to life through their strokes of pens and splashes of paint. The mural became a tapestry of stories, dreams, and creativity, reminding us that art is a universal language that transcends age and background.

After the creative burst of mural making, it was time to fuel our energies with a delicious pizza party. What made this gathering special was that it wasn't just confined to a single age group from the home – it was an open invitation to any children who wished to join. The aroma of freshly baked pizza filled the air as the volunteers and children formed connections over this shared meal. Laughter resonated throughout the room as individuals from diverse walks of life came together, building bonds that even transcended the confines of language.

While waiting for the photographer to arrive, the children were given time to engage with an array of tech toys and programming games. The room buzzed with excitement as they delved into interactive experiences that merged entertainment with learning. This segment of the day highlighted the importance of striking a balance between traditional activities and modern innovations, providing the children with an opportunity to explore their interests and potential in the digital world.

Next, it was time for an activity that combined nostalgia with modern-day fascination – instant portrait photography using a vintage film camera. The excitement was palpable as each participant had the chance to step in front of the lens and strike a pose. Many of the children did not have a tangible photo of themselves so this was a precious experience. The anticipation of seeing the photograph develop added an element of suspense and wonder to the experience. Participants could choose between solo shots or group photos, and afterward, they were handed their images to decorate as they pleased. It was heartening to see the delight on their faces as they held their tangible memories with their best friends and members of the YouMeWe team.

​​

Leaving the group home that evening, I couldn't help but feel profoundly moved by the experiences of the day. The activities we shared, from mural making to instant photography, highlighted the human need for self-expression, connection, and the simple joy of creativity. As we navigated through our busy lives, the day at the group home served as a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful moments arise when we pause to engage with our fellow humans in genuine, authentic ways. This day went swimmingly compared to the minecraft night which was a very rewarding experience which gave us all the motivation as to why we do what we do. Taking the time to connect, create, and share can make a world of difference – not only for those we interact with but for our own well-being and sense of fulfillment as well.





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