JACKSON, Mich. — Once a month, fifth-grade students from Northwest Elementary head to the Lyle Torrant Center to work on art projects with special needs students there.
It’s all a part of the "Hands and Heart" program created by a mom with a mission.
"For me, it has to be about my son, you know?" Amy Fracker, Asst. Director of Jackson School of the Arts said.
Fracker works at the Jackson School of the Arts. When her son Lucas died, she wanted to keep his legacy alive.
"Taking those days of being a special needs mom and pushing them forward to just do some good," she said.
Bridging gaps through art.
"You know you go into a project thinking this is going to be great for the kids at Torrant. It's actually really great for the kids at Northwest as well," Fracker added, smiling.
And the kids at Northwest love it, too.
"It makes me feel really happy because it’s something that I like and I'm sharing it with somebody that doesn't get to do it all the time. So it just makes me happy," fifth-grader Carter Cole said.
"This is already a highlight of my teaching career and I've got quite a ways to go," Jessica Crandell, Art Teacher, Northwest Community Schools said.
Right now, the kids are working on a collaborative piece.
"So I'm trying to, you know, get the kids to understand even though somebody's strong suits may not be what their's are, they have something to bring to the table. And then you can add your strengths and it can make something super incredible," Crandell said.
The Torrant students are working on the background for the project. Once done, Northwest students will paint a scene on top.
"If we could just get out students out of the classroom a little bit more to see what else goes on in their community and how they can make their community a better place and use their talents and strengths to help make the lives of other better, that's as good as you can get as a teacher," Crandell said.
A teaching moment, that goes beyond the walls of a classroom.
"It's acceptable to be excited about sharing something with someone who isn't like you. Maybe look for the similarities instead of focusing on the differences," Fracker said.
At the end of the school year, the students will host an art gallery to show off all of their work they created throughout the year. Family, friends, and community members are invited.
