TNT in the Community

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"To lead, you must be a servant of all."

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Community Mural Project

A collaboration between local businesses, the City of Victoria, law enforcement and community youth organizations.

The Community Mural Project was born out of youth’s desire to create art in the community. In the spring of 2005, a small group of youth partnered with a local business to paint a mural to cover graffiti.

Initiated by Victoria By-law Officer and Tamara Thorpe in 2005, local youth organizations are paired with local businesses to paint a mural to cover and deter graffiti.

Benefits of the Community Mural Project:

• Youth engaged in civic issues and community service
• Cost effective solution for businesses to clean up graffiti
• A long term solution for an ongoing problem with graffiti
• Civic and community partnerships
• Sharing resources and increasing awareness of needs of the community

For more information about painting a mural in your community, download the Community Mural Project Guide.

To assist with developing your own service learning project download Best Practices in Service Learning: A Guide for Educators and Youth Workers or read Youth Learning from the World, Leading in their Community: Creating Global Leaders for Tomorrow by Tamara Thorpe now available at www.amazon.com

Youth Ministry

Faith is an expression of love, a gift of trust, and an understanding that the world is life-giving and kind. It is through my faith that I lead, teach and serve in the hopes that all with whom I have contact are better for having done so.
Tamara Thorpe

Tamara began working with youth in her faith community in 2000. For the last three years she has coordinated the youth programs at St. Aidan’s United Church.

In February 2008, Tamara completed her Certificate in Youth Ministry sponsored by the United Church Naramata Learning Centre and BC Conference. This twelve month program has emphasized faith formation in children and youth, spiritual practices, and ministerial leadership.

To learn more about Tamara’s Theology of Youth Ministry click here. Also available Service Learning Guide for Youth Ministry.

 

Cross-cultural Education and Research

It was not until relocating to Victoria, BC that Tamara discovered CISV, a unique peace and cross-cultural education organization for children and youth. Since 2004 Tamara has felt a sense of belonging with this like-minded community committed to fostering intercultural understanding.

Tamara was elected to the Executive Committee for the Victoria Chapter in 2005, overseeing both local and international programs. She is also a member of the International Education and Research Development Committee for CISV International, offering her expertise in program evaluation and curriculum design.

Tamara conducted an action research project with CISV Victoria, designed to explore the impact of cross-cultural learning on leadership development and community service. The research revealed the multiple skills and values youth gain from their intercultural experiences and offers strategies to develop effective service learning projects and youth-adult partnerships. For a preview click here, the entire research has recently been published and is available at various online book sellers including Amazon.com.

In the summer of 2008, Tamara will be directing one of CISV’s International Peoples Project in Toronto, Ontario. This project will bring together adults from around the world to partner with a long term care centre to foster intergenerational understanding.