Home
It is often said that home is a feeling and not a place. But for many of us, the house we grew up in occupies an exceptional place in our hearts. Cherished memories and shared experiences with family and friends leave an indelible imprint on our sense of self, forming an important part of who we are and how we live life. No matter how old we are or how many miles away, it still feels like home. Interestingly, the definition of home has a different meaning for everyone, while it can be just a physical structure, the feeling of “home” can happen in other spaces, but only a handful have the distinctive attributes of being home.
A sense of being welcomed through care and effort plays a role in making us feel at home. Building relationships starts the moment our Auesomers enter the center. We always begin the day with a warm “Hello” or a friendly smile for each Auesomer every morning as they walk in the door. We want our Auesomers to start their day feeling seen, acknowledged, and welcomed into the center. This simple act sets the tone for the day, eases nerves, and gives everyone a moment to transit from their homes to a learning environment.
When our Auesomers first enter the center each morning, they expect a familiar set of tasks to be awaiting them. They cultivate responsibility by hanging up their jackets, changing into indoor shoes, and putting away their backpacks. When they finish the morning tasks, they engage in meaningful jobs such as watering the plants, filling up the humidifier, and arranging books. While there is much that must be done during these first few moments of the day, the pace is energized but not rushed and helps everyone begin the day calmly and purposefully. With consistent positive supports, our Auesomers can take ownership of and independently manage an impressive number of tasks and skills throughout the day!
We tend to have a powerful connection to the places that shaped us. When you enter someone’s home, perhaps the first things you usually see are the pictures of their family or pets. Similarly, when you walk around Auesome Place, you won’t see trophies and accolades, but rather displays reflecting the core values of the Auesome community. Furthermore, having our work displayed also contributes a huge piece to the center’s decor. Beyond the uplifting soft colors aesthetics embed a collection of seasonal decorations, lush greenery, and creative artwork displays, all proudly co-created by our Auesomers.
Youths care deeply about their work when we give them authentic tasks. An authentic task can become personally meaningful when there are real audiences. When they think someone else, their peers, their parents, or visitors might view and react to their work, they readily invest more time to do their best work. As core members of the community, it is important that our Auesomers embrace and value that this is their space as much as ours. And in this space, we can connect over shared work, learning from each other.
While a sense of physical safety is essential for feeling at home. Another aspect of safety, however, is a sense of emotional stability, feeling safe enough to speak out that makes us feel truly at home in a space. One of the most important words a child can hear from their learning mentor is, “I want to hear how you think and feel about this.” A simple initiative of utilizing a gratitude journal, writing down things that we are grateful for, can provide our Auesomers with the opportunity to reflect on what’s on their minds and practice formulating and communicating their ideas. As we encourage our Auesomers to routinely express their gratitude, we can help them become more aware of the gifts that surround us: the beauties of nature, the smiles of our friends, the caring of the community. By noticing and taking time to fully appreciate these simple, but often overlooked gifts, we increase our daily experience of positive emotions. This contributes to building the strength and resilience that can support us during difficult times. Through this mindset, things will blossom, and this is where real change begins.
Overall, a home is where we feel a sense of belonging. Belonging and connection arise out of shared spaces, experiences, and relationships with others. As our Auesomers lead and lean on one another through the daily tasks of living and learning in a collaborative group, the love for the community sprouts in them. Fundraising for a worthy cause is an incredibly rewarding experience for all. From there, we can plant small seeds of belonging, like working in teams to bake the merchandise, pairing with a peer buddy to greet strangers, and taking turns to help carry the merchandise. The challenge is to emphasize working as a team and to appreciate whatever direction their efforts take them, especially if things end up differently from what they set out to accomplish. Indeed, this fruitful approach sends an empowering message to our Auesomers, that they are interrelated to each other in the community and are important enough to have an impact on someone else. No matter how big or small, each contribution makes a difference.
On a memorable day just after the holiday break, one of our Auesomers walked through the door. We overheard him breathe deeply and say, “It feels good to be back!” He perfectly captured how we truly feel about our space in one sentence. After all, what brings our space to life is the people, who help to create a vibrant community in which we learn, grow, and succeed together. Therefore, we sincerely hope each one of us will have the same feeling as this Auesomer had, that Auesome Place is indeed a special space, a community, a place that feels like home!
On a memorable day just after the holiday break, one of our Auesomers walked through the door. We overheard him breathe deeply and say, “It feels good to be back!” He perfectly captured how we truly feel about our space in one sentence. After all, what brings our space to life is the people, who help to create a vibrant community in which we learn, grow, and succeed together. Therefore, we sincerely hope each one of us will have the same feeling as this Auesomer had, that Auesome Place is indeed a special space, a community, a place that feels like home!
“Home is where the heart is.”
Pliny the Elder
