The Mess is a meal and art program that runs on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. It is run as a partnership between First CRC and the Youth For Christ downtown Streetlight Ministry. An evening begins with a dinner, followed by an arts program. We begin with food because food creates a primary social meeting place, a place where volunteers and youth can sit down and interact on a basis of equality. Then we move to the art studio (Youth Building next door to First CRC) for three hours of open studio time. In response to a request from youth that participated, we have added a teaching element to The Mess. Local artists join us and share their expertise, vision and joy of the arts for the night.
The vision that drives The Mess includes the following ideas:
- That we move beyond the ‘server’ mentality of those from the church (including Streetlight) and the ‘receiver’ mentality of those from street level, toward a situation of healthy community in which every person is able to serve and receive.
- The Mess needs to be a place where we can be there for each other, and a safe place to fail and succeed.
The Mess is unique in that it provides the opportunity for youth to take ownership of the program rather than simply providing them with another service. The goal of the Mess is to continue to empower youth so that they can receive the encouragement and support they need to pursue their ambitions, maintain consistent, fulfilling employment, and develop healthy perspectives about life. Art allows freedom of expression that words cannot always supply. It makes the artist vulnerable and open, providing insights into their own lives, but also a release to let out some of the inner feelings that are often so difficult to express.
If you’d like to be a part of The Mess, please contact us.