We had the great privilege of introducing the talented duo, Ben and Holly of the Strangers’ Poems Project (@strangerspoems) to the 4th graders at Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 (@bvhmk_8) this week. The poetry, typewriting aficionados are regular fixtures on Valencia Street, blessing strangers with poems of candor and joy built off of three words chosen at random by the stranger. Inspired by their work, we asked that they bring this captivating model to the classrooms! They said, “Yes!” 🎉🎉 The students received a breakdown as to what makes a poem a poem. Spoiler alert: Life is a poem! 😉 Ben and Holly then had the students dissect Katy Perry’s, “Firework” track - finding metaphors, similes and rhymes. This led to our favorite part of Ben and Holly’s process, “stranger interviews”! Holly sat with a student and asked them for three words with follow-up questions about the three words. Satisfied with the intel received, Holly’s lightening fast fingers would churn out a poem on their vintage Hermes Rocket typewriter. This is where the spark of creation and expression took center stage. Students were given note cards to draw on to act as the canvas of the poem. Flowers, paint splats, cats, rainbows, random shapes, swirls… we saw it all. After decorating their note cards, students were broken up into pairs with the task of interviewing each other. Three words and interview questions inspired poems of amor, death stars, dragons, extinction, friendship, minions, pizza and the rising of the Phoenix. Even the weight of popularity versus being in the shadows was touched upon. SIGH. 😮‍💨🥹 Students, yet again, showing us how deeply they process the world around them if given the tools to share in a safe space. Community collaborations, yet again, showing us the beauty and power of collective “out of box” thinking. What. A. Day. We can’t stop grinning about it! 🥰😁🥰😁🥰😁🥰 • #Poetry #MarigoldProject #SanFrancisco #StrangersPoemsProject #WeLoveDoingThis (fb)

What a special honor it was to be present with the community of The Women’s Building in one of San Francisco’s most beautiful buildings (@thewomensbuilding) last night. (Side-note: Swooning over all the architectural details and views from their windows.) We offered them an Altar created by RAICES Fellow, Danielle Revives (@ddddanirev), a Blessing shared by Executive Director, Rosa De Anda (@rosa.de.anda) and Ceremonial Cacao made and served by Ceremonialist, Deni Slehiman-Aguilar (@denislehiman) at TWB’s, “Unstoppable” fundraiser. When we learned of the Unstoppable event we knew we had to show up in care, and in solidarity for The Women’s Building. We are proud to support their work of providing services to migrant families, mujeres and to some of the city’s most vulnerable. Their efforts are vital no matter what Administration is in office, but especially now, in times of true uncertainty, standing not just behind them but shoulder to shoulder with them felt extremely imperative. The community certainly showed up for The Women’s Building. It was the community’s efforts, that made it possible for TWB’s Executive Director, Tania Estrada, to share the incredible news that the recently closed “Family Reunification” programs due to drastic federal funding cuts were being reinstated thanks to the success of fundraising efforts. We are immensely proud to have our heart cords linked. Congratulations to the TWB family! Thank you again for having us. Our hearts are so full. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 • #Heart #LivingAltar #MarigoldProject #SanFrancisco #TheWomensBuilding #Unstoppable (fb)