WAYS TO USE CHILL & SPILL

Each counselor, therapist or teacher uses Chill & Spill differently. We have gathered some stories up that we felt might be of help for you. We welcome your stories as well. Please write to us and share your photos or experiences using Chill & Spill…

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13-year-old Brandon Hefty, was struck and killed by a truck as he was getting off the school bus. The district’s chaplain recommended to an anonymous donor that they should purchase and donate Chill & Spill books to the 120 middle school children to help them as they dealt with their sudden and tragic loss. As a result, the school counselor as well as first responders were able to communicate with large numbers of youth who were grieving and provide an immediate way for them to express their feelings.

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Sue Rolando, Cultural Diversity and Healing Arts teacher at the Morning Star Boy’s Ranch, a Residential Treatment Facility for troubled boys located in Spokane, Washington has been using the Chill & Spill books with the boys she serves since she attended Art with Heart’s training. Each boy entering the program receives their own Chill & Spill journal during Sue’s therapeutic art class. She uses the Therapist’s Companion as curriculum for their time together and teaches the boys about healthy choices and self-expression. Says Sue, “The introspective activities found in Chill & Spill provide the boys with a safe harbor, some place to go to talk and create, without fear of repercussions or ridicule, a place where someone will listen. The program frees our residents from being defined by their circumstances and encourages them to rise to their possibilities,” says Sue, “It helps them communicate difficult issues and emotions, reduce stress, and normalize feelings.”

Sue says she’s sure that Chill & Spill will be a permanent offering through the creative arts program. “The book opens doors to healing and is an excellent support to our mission at the Ranch.”

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Alexia Everett works with daughters of incarcerated women. She says, “I am writing to let you know how wonderful of an experience it has been using the Chill & Spill journal with the mothers and daughters participating in our program. Quite some time ago we purchased individual journals for some of our older girls who were experiencing an enormous amount of stress in their lives. The Program Coordinator and I attended a training to enhance our utilization of the book, after which we started facilitating exercises in groups with just the daughters, the moms, and even with the mothers and daughters together.

“We have received a great deal of positive feedback. Both the mothers and daughters enjoy the artistic component of the exercises and the reflection time. They have mentioned how they like that the exercises help them to focus on important aspects of their lives and that the exercises have aided them in attaining different perspectives. We will continue to incorporate Chill & Spill exercises into our program delivery, and I believe that every girl would benefit from the journal. We all can use a little help from time to time understanding ourselves and our lives, especially young girls and women.”

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Linda Bordelon of The Orchard Foundation and Judy Caplan Ginsburg of the Central Arts Counsel of Central Louisiana gave Chill & Spill to school counselors and teachers in a 9 parish area shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit. Each teacher or counselor uses the books in different ways, from using it as class curriculum, to special after-school groups. Says Linda, “The book allows kids to ‘attack’ their problems without intimidation or fear. Teachers and others who attended Art with Heart’s training have taught others how to use the book with their students. It has made a difference in the way they perceive their plight and are more understanding that they are not hopeless. It has given them a better understanding and a resolve to deal with the current situation and work towards improving their outlook on life. They are coping better.”

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Shauna Rumsey, Prevention & Education Specialist, King County Sexual Assalt Resource Center uses the journal to break the ice, facilitate self-expression and open up communication in her girl’s group. Chris Johnson, Prevention Specialist at KCSARC, says that he presented Chill & Spill as a gift to the group of adolescent males he has been working with on a weekly for the past couple of years. He assigns group members to arrive each week with any one activity of their choosing completed. Members then have the option to share their work with the group or to keep their work private. He says that the doodling and sketching aspects of the book have enhanced the group’s ability to dialog, especially in regards to some of the tougher issues brought up. Some great discussions have emerged as a result of the book. Says Chris,“By keeping their attention split between doodling and dialogging, I believe it creates space for individual reflection and courage to contribute to the conversation at their own pace. I would recommend this book to group facilitators and educators who would like to present their participants with a cool and clever gift which can easily be incorporated into or enhance their group format or curriculum.”

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In March of 2006, a mass murder claimed the life of a 13 year old girl on Capital Hill near downtown Seattle. Because of an anonymous donor, Art with Heart was able to send Chill & Spill books to help the kids of Columbia Junior High in Tacoma. School counselor Brooks Clergy used the books to help him facilitate the healing for many students at once, stating, “It was great to have something meaningful to give to the kids who were hurting most and watch them as they worked through it on their own. We noticed that it gave them a sense of peace about what happened.” Chill & Spill is a tool that helps build the emotional intelligence of adolescents so that they can have a positive place to express pent-up or confusing emotions.
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The book and the accompanying companion piece can be purchased at our online shop. All proceeds go back to help Art with Heart reach more children in need.