Program News 2004
GSS Youth and the Architects Union Develop “A Common Bond”
Good Shepherd Services recently teamed with the Architects' Union to sponsor a day of Lego construction for 120 Red Hook children and youth and a team of volunteers from the fields of architecture, design and construction. The March 13th event, entitled, A Common Bond brought architects and other volunteers from the field youth together with youth from our Red Hook Community Center Beacon to build large-scale models of city buildings. The gymnasium of PS 15 was transformed into a mammoth construction zone as each team reviewed visual precedents, made sketches of their proposed models and then began the task of creating structures that included a church, a school, a library, a museum and City Hall. The event provided vulnerable young people who have limited career role models with a window into the fields of architecture, design and construction through their hands-on experience of working with professionals. They gained greater awareness of the rich potential of Lego's and other toy construction materials and, through the day's activities, were able to draw a direct connection with the construction of real buildings. The team approach also fostered a group mentoring experience that helped the children build connections with positive, adult role models and with each other.
March 15, 2004
