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By Carson Shea
Published: Jul. 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM EDT
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – SENT’s new program created a space for teens to connect and express themselves in artistic ways.
“I’m learning that it doesn’t matter who someone is, they can still be your friend,” attendee Elliot Reeder said.
Creative Expressions Lunch Brunch gathered teens twice a month to get to know each other.
“This program is great because one, it gives us entertainment during the summer because sometimes it’s boring,” Reeder said. “Two, just awesome people all the time.”
The teens learned new ways to share their emotions and get to know one another better, through journaling, drawing, and other creative activities bringing them closer.
“I get to meet new people and people kind of like me that like art,” attendee Kinsley Morning said.
“I have been able to have teens really take something that they have been dealing with, either by themselves or with their friends, and be able to put it out on paper,” SENT Topeka Mental Health Specialist Char’dae Bell said. “Then be able to actually explain how they felt in a way they weren’t able to before.”
The program was fulfilling for everyone involved.
“For me to be able to instill in them ways to communicate with themselves and others and then I get to watch them use those same things out, it makes me feel like I’ve done what I’m supposed to do,” Bell said. “Like I’ve fulfilled my purpose.”
“Don’t judge people by its cover,” Morning said. “If you see somebody just sitting in the corner you can go say ‘Hi how are you doing?’ So you won’t just let them sit by themself in the corner.”
SENT says it’s launching a school-year Creative Expressions program in August.
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