Welcome to Jeffrey VanHove, the Cook Arts Center's newest volunteer

“Those kids kind of fill my heart. I just like spending time with them. I like listening to all of their funny little comments and questions. It makes me smile.”

This was the explanation that Jeffrey VanHove, a new volunteer at the Cook Arts Center, gave when he was asked why he chose to give his time to GAAH. His volunteer work in the animal drawing class does not fill any credit requirement. Instead, he is choosing to spend his afternoons and evenings with the youth in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood because of his passion for helping kids.

“I chose animal drawing specifically because it included ages 5-9 and I wanted to work with kids in the fourth grade age range,” he explained. “For my first experience, I was a little nervous. I always am when I walk into a class of kids I've never met before. I just wonder if they are going to like me. Even though I immerse myself in things, I am a little shy,” Jeffrey said. “But I definitely think I made an impression. When I walked in, I was wearing this big safari-looking hat, and the kids started calling me a cowboy. So I made a little cowboy move and they all laughed. That was my first connection.”

Jeffrey then started making friends with individual students in the class. “I started asking them some questions, talking to them about their classes. The girl across from me told me about piano classes which I thought was really cool because I've always wanted to learn piano. When I got up to go meet the other kids, they were like, ‘No, don’t go!’”

To assist the art instructor, Jeffrey helped the students trace rabbits and draw animals. “Two other volunteers were helping out, but I noticed that they were walking around asking kids if they needed help drawing. I wanted to actually draw myself, so I drew this ridiculous camel,” Jeffrey explained. “[The students] had a lot of energy so I was trying to play games with them to get them engaged. I even started a horse-drawing competition.”

Jeffrey, a freshman at Grand Valley State University, comes from Boyne City. Growing up, he attended East Jordan Schools, Bell Air Schools, and then graduated from Boyne City High School. His interests include longboarding, skiing, and working with kids. He has also volunteered to help with the Warrior Dash and the Forest of Fear at GVSU and plans to do more volunteer work, including at the Cook Library Center.

“I found out that I loved kids when I started working as a teacher's assistant my senior year of high school. I helped out two fourth grade teachers with math, science, and PowerPoints and had a great time. I never knew how much I would miss it until it was gone,” he said. “One of the really cool things about being a teacher’s assistant and helping kids with academics and schoolwork is that you are helping them become more successful.”

He discovered the Cook Arts Center through a friend who volunteers in a pottery class. Once she explained the organization to him, Jeffrey thought it sounded like a perfect way to be involved with the community and work with kids. “The classes just looked awesome,” Jeffrey said. ”I was really excited about breakdance and guitar so I really wanted to get involved.”

Jeffrey summed up his experience this way: “I had an awesome time at the Cook Arts Center. The classroom was great, everyone was really nice, and I left with a really good impression. I walked out of the building with a smile on my face.”

Mary T., Avid Reader and Committee Member

Mary is a bright, unique fourth grader at Cesar Chavez elementary school. This ten-year-old’s favorite subjects are music, gym, and reading. Mary and her three siblings, who are ages four, six, and twelve, celebrate diversity in their family. Her mom, now a social worker, is originally from Africa. Mary’s step-father, who is from Guatemala, is an auto technician in Grand Rapids.

Mary started coming to the Cook Library Center two years ago when she was in second grade. She thoroughly enjoys the myriad of activities offered here, including creative art activities and classes that expand her understanding of science. One of her favorite things about the Library is the field trips. She fondly recalls going to Calvin College for trick-or-treating in the dorms for Halloween.

Mary is also involved with the Cook Library Center D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) Group. In addition to the normal quilt-making activities that the students partake in leading up to Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities’ annual fundraiser, Día del Sol, this special children’s committee has been planning and creating additional items to auction off at the big event. As an integral part of this committee, Mary is responsible for making important decisions about what crafts to make and how to make them. Then, she and the rest of the committee bring their ideas to life.

One part of the craft required a field trip to Richmond Stamp Works in downtown Grand Rapids, where Mary and her team met owner and creative genius, Paul Newhof. While there, Paul showed them his unique work space and also the process of making rubber stamps. The kids particularly enjoyed the shop dog, seeing the stamp-making machine at work, and the candy that Paul so kindly shared as they departed.

In addition to the interactions that students at the Cook Library Center have with leaders, artists, and authors from the community, college students from Calvin College, GVSU, and GRCC often volunteer to tutor, help with homework, and lead  reading activities. Mary said that these students have helped her immensely with her homework, her reading comprehension, and her critical thinking.

Outside of school, Mary enjoys spending time with her friends. She enjoys having singing contests, building snowmen, playing with toy horses, watching SpongeBob SquarePants, playing with the family dogs, creating fake tattoos, reading comic books, and waking up her mother. Her favorite author is Dr. Seuss. When Mary grows up, she hopes to be famous stylist and actress.   

Mimi, Volunteer at the Cook Library Center, Finds Refuge There

It’s not every day that you meet a college student quite like Mimi (aka Michelle). According to her mother, Mimi is a “book eater.” Although Mimi was a very petite child who had to ride in the baby carriage until she was almost two years old, she began talking before anyone else her age. Her mother called her a “bright child” and said that she was forming full sentences early in her development. At a young age, Mimi’s mother would have to take books away to get her to focus on other things. Even then “She would read the cereal box, the tags on the back of the sofa, and other things in the house. That's just her!" her mother explained, fondly laughing. Nowadays, even after spending a long day on homework, Mimi goes to take a break only to find herself diving into yet another book. Mimi insists that it’s “recreational reading.” Her favorite books are The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion, all written by J. R. R. Tolkien. In fact, when she first received the trilogy, she read it in less than 48 hours. 

Although she was born in Evergreen, Illinois, Mimi has lived all over the United States due to her mother’s occupation in campground management. In fact, they have seen every state in the United States twice and visited both oceans within the course of a year. Growing up, Mimi attended various schools and also attempted homeschooling throughout her K-12 education. “A lot of kids didn't like me in high school,” Mimi said. She feels that her good grades were to blame. She and her best friend Ruth, who suffers from a terminal illness, “broke the curve on every single test, making it difficult for the rest of the class to do well.”

Following the trend of her earlier education, Mimi was a student at several higher education institutions including Aquinas College and Northwest Michigan College. Mimi now finds herself studying at Grand Valley State University. This self-proclaimed “nerd” is majoring in English Language and Literature and minoring in East Asian Studies with an emphasis on Japan. She would eventually like to translate books and websites from Japanese to English and vice versa but plans to get her career started as an assistant English teacher in Japan. In fact, while studying there she interned at Rice Ball Daycare where she spent two days a week reading, talking, and playing with Japanese elementary kids. This experience created a path toward exceptional volunteerism at the Cook Library Center, where Mimi brings the same joy and wisdom to the young students in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood.

Mimi got into habit of volunteering very early, starting at a local library in Manelona, Michigan, in 7th grade. She later became involved with the National Honor Society in high school, which included volunteer hours as the service component of the program. At Aquinas College she undertook another project in order to continue receiving the Monsignor Bukowski scholarship. She traveled to Lasana, Mississippi, where she relieved people from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2008. “I helped people who got ignored,” she said, “There was one elderly couple whose shed fell off its foundation, and no one helped them to put it back up. So we pushed the shed back up and set things right.” Mimi later received a certificate for her community service.

Although her current educational experience at GVSU is excellent, Mimi faces a few barriers. Mimi’s mother, who suffers from an inoperable brain stem malformation, requires countless visits to the hospital. Because Mimi’s biological father passed away from diabetes when she was young, she finds her mother frequently under her care. In addition to this difficulty at home, Mimi also began to struggle with interpersonal issues with her roommates. As a result, Mimi has decided to find other ways to spend her time outside of class.

Fortunately she found the Cook Library Center, where her opportunity to volunteer with the children provides a healthy escape. ”The Library Center has reminded me how much I love going out and spending time with people,” she explained, smiling. "It's nice to stop hurting for a moment and enjoy life with the kids. It helps me let everything go for a while … knowing that I’m making life better for them.” She said, “Coming from an all-white neighborhood with all-white kids, there was no program like this where I could be with other people like me.” Excluded from social life in most of the places where she lived, Mimi says that she believes that the Cook Library Center gives the kids an opportunity to make friends with one other. “They are not alone here,” she said. “If I had something like this, I think about how much further I could have gone."

Día del Sol (Day of the Sun): A Celebration to Benefit the Cook Arts Center and the Cook Library Center

A lively auction bursting with items from local businesses and artists, a delectable Cuban feast prepared by Tommy Fitzgerald, support from generous donors, a successful partnership with Kendall College of Art and Design, a charming dance performance and Latin music: these are only some of the things that made up Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities’ (GAAH’s) 13th annual Día del Sol on June 19. The event was not only inspiring, but raised $48,000 to support the programs of the Cook Arts Center and the Cook Library Center. 

One of the highlights of the evening was the drama that unfolded over two very special auction items. Every year several dozen elementary students from the Cook Library Center sew two quilts for the silent auction, and this year’s quilts were especially beautiful. Two of the students who worked on the quilts, Juan Diego and Estelita, were in attendance to talk about the project—and talk they did! These children did such a good job of promoting the quilts that the resulting bidding wars generated $400.

All of these things helped to make the fundraiser a fun-filled, entertaining, dynamic evening. This unforgettable day was an opportunity to celebrate our vibrant community and to thank those who give their treasure and talent to GAAH.

With the help of this tremendous group of individuals and businesses, GAAH can continue to deeply impact the lives of many Grandville Avenue neighborhood residents every day. 

  

Juan Diego and Estelita showing off their quilt to Eva Aguirre Cooper

Some special friends at a colorful table with their Día del Sol programs.

Tommy's delicious Cuban feast

Michael the Accordionist

Guests checking out the artwork in the auction

Volunteer Miss Cat and her niece, Piper

The Cook Library Scholars Celebrate a Year of Abundant Success

May 29 was a significant and memorable day in Roosevelt Park for our Cook Library Scholars. The birds were chirping, the trees waved gently in the breeze, the sun was shining, and many neighbors were outdoors. After a year of hard work and perseverance that the program’s staff, volunteers, families, and scholars displayed, they could finally kick back and rejoice in all of their triumphs with their new Cook Library Scholars family. Families enjoyed a delicious potluck picnic, complete with a dessert of cake, cupcakes, and ice cream. 

“Certificates of Participation” were awarded to the parents who came to workshops and active in parent enrichment activities. Scholars also received awards such as “Wise Guy,” “Always Cheerful,” and “Future World Changer,” “Mr. Imagination,” “Endless Optimist,” “Expert Reader,” and “Everybody’s Buddy.” There is such great camaraderie among the scholars, that when awards were being called, they were able to accurately guess who would receive it. 

There were also two raffle opportunities. The first, for an iPod Shuffle, was to encourage reading. For every twenty-five books read, a scholar could place one ticket into the drawing box. The second raffle, which was for a bicycle donated by The Motion Initiative, was awarded to those students who succeeded in the Multiplication Challenge, where they were required to memorize multiplication facts. Essentially, the more successes a scholar had throughout the year, the more tickets they could place into the jar. 

There was also an array of outdoor games, including the water balloon toss, face painting, a beanbag toss, sack races, and even tug of war. These were all thoughtfully arranged by the Cook Library Staff, and were extremely popular with the scholars.

As the festivities commenced, the scholars displayed deep gratitude and sincere joy to be with the people who were there with them every step of the way. The beaming smiles on their faces, their unity with one another, and their high spirits made it clear that the time spent in the program has made a tremendous impact on each and every one of them.

All in all, it is safe to say that these students who were found rejoicing in Roosevelt Park truly have a great reason to do so. Not only are these fantastic kids working very hard to ensure a future for themselves, but they have a state-of-the-art team of leaders, collaborators, interns, volunteers, donors, foundations, and friends that are right alongside of them to help them along the way. If only every child in the world had such a reason to celebrate.

Neighborhood Student Discusses Life on Grandville Avenue

Neighborhood Student Discusses Life on Grandville Avenue 

One of GAAH's neighborhood sixth graders discusses her life as a student at the Potter’s House School and Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities at both the Cook Library Center and the Cook Arts Center.

Giselle, Age 13

Giselle is definitely not your average sixth grader in America. Giselle is an identical twin sister in her immediate family of six. Her twin sister's name is Ailyn. Not only that, but her oldest sister Kenia is special needs, with Prader-Willi Syndrome, and although she was born here, her parents are immigrants from Mexico City. In addition, “My family has twelve sets of twins,” she said. That’s right: she also belongs to an even more substantial family that claims a grand total of twenty-four individuals that can call themselves a twin. To top it all off, Giselle comes out of this situation as an incredibly bright, kind, gentle-spirited girl who truly cherishes her life in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood.

When approached, Giselle was eager and enthusiastic to eloquently speak about her life at the Potter’s House School, at the Cook Arts Center, and at the Cook Library Center. Her favorite food is lasagna, her prized color is green, her preferred sport is soccer, and the most important topic of discussion for her seems to be reading. Tablet in hand, she carefully detailed every single book that she adored, including Tuck Everlasting. "It’s sad and mysterious,” she articulated. “It tells the story in a detailed way which is just breathtaking.” Other favorites include The Tale of Emily Windsnap and Tip Face Bunyan.

Giselle was also compelled to talk about her relationship to her family, in particular her sister. “I am always watching after my little sister to make sure that she is not being bad. Nadia does not pay attention. I have to make sure she’s doing her homework and paying attention.  I need to make sure that she doesn’t wander,” she said.

Interestingly enough, the combination of her love for books and her extra-large family is why she loves the Cook Library Center so much. “At home, it’s not comfortable. My sisters and brothers are all there, and there is nowhere to sit. The table is always crowded. There’s no work space.” So instead, she spends many of her evenings at the Cook Library Center. Homework help, an array of materials to borrow, and computer work stations allow her to have a comfortable, quiet place to work. “There is no internet at home, which means I can’t use my tablet,” she said. “At the library, there is a computer where I can type my projects.” Plus, the myriad of library staff, tutors, and friends allows Giselle to ask for help virtually any time that she is there. “I feel close to Miss Sue. (Sue Garza, Cook Library Center Director) She is very helpful. If I’m stuck on a problem, she can help me. If she’s too busy, she can make sure someone else is there to help,” she asserted.

So what does a normal week look like to this 13-year-old Grandville Avenue resident? It’s actually quite impressive. She detailed her week as follows:

Monday through Friday, during normal school hours, Giselle takes classes at Potter’s House School. Then, on Mondays, she has a moment to return home to say hello to her father, have a snack, and then return to the Cook Library Center from 4:30-6:30pm to work on homework.

After school on Tuesday, Giselle enjoys a photography class at the Cook Arts Center from 4:30-5:30pm, and then works with her tutor, who travels to the center from 6:30-7:30pm. This particular tutor is one that she speaks highly of. She even was preparing a gift for her the day that I spoke with her. “She really helped out with my grades,” she declared, “I got her a big beautiful coffee mug, a sparkly bag, and an angel.”  

On Wednesdays, Giselle has a half-day at Potter’s House. Then, she is allowed to take extra classes, including technology and band, where she learns how to type and play the trumpet. She is home by 2pm, only to return to the Cook Arts Center at 4:30pm to work in Intermediate Potter’s Wheel, which is another activity that she was thrilled to talk about in depth. “You have to make sure that you have the right pedal speed, and hold your hands really hard, making sure they’re centered. You have to make sure the top isn’t wiggly, and then open it up,” she continued, beaming. “I started doing pottery when I was 6 ½ years old. I thought, ‘Oh, I can’t do this!’ But, I have gotten better.” After Potter’s Wheel, she volunteers to help with the very young children’s clay class, charmingly named Crazy Clay, from 5:30-6:30pm. Contradictory to what the title suggests, Giselle helps to keep the situation fairly calm. “I pass out clay, get the tools, help them put their aprons on, help put things away, help them wash their hands, and put their pieces on the shelves.” To top it all off, Giselle takes a sewing class from 6:30-8pm on Wednesday evening. “I like to stay busy,” she expressed.

Thursday after school, Giselle takes crocheting at 4:30pm. Then, she volunteers to help in Plaster and Play-Doh. Her tutor then returns to the Cook Arts Center from 6:30-7:30pm. And Fridays, Giselle has soccer practice from 5:30-7:30pm after her normal school day.

This demanding schedule does not phase Giselle one bit, in fact, she deeply enjoys her experiences at Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities’ facilities. And after all is said and done, this bright girl is always looking toward the future and her connection with these spaces. When asked about continuing her involvement and life at the Cook Library Center and the Cook Arts Center, she responded with, “I would like to come back to either teach or be a secretary. Once, Miss Bethany had a meeting, and asked me to be in charge of the phone. I answered the phone and made sure that the calls were put on hold.” Finally, and most poignantly, she expressed, “Most people here get along. Everyone that comes to the center has fun, and we make everything work. Everyone works very hard to keep this place nice… I just hope that I can keep coming for many years to come.”

Learning is Fun at the Cook Library Center

Sometimes kids forget how fun learning can be, but when they head over to the Cook Library Center after school they are quickly reminded. The weather is getting warmer and we all know how hard it can be to buckle down on homework when the sun is shining, but the dedicated volunteers from Calvin College and Aquinas College make it easy to come in and continue learning. With the one-on-one help and attention that kids need, they are always able to complete their homework and then move on to the next step of the Cook Library Center's after school regimen.

Students who are regulars at the Cook Library Center know the regimen well: finish your homework with a tutor, read for 20 minutes, play a game, and then, if there's still time, you can play academic games on the computer. These "rules" might seem a little strict, but once kids walk in the door, they know their goals and they are ready to accomplish them! Getting help with homework and being able to use the computers provides enough encouragement and motivation for most students to complete all the steps with no problem.

Once students are on the computers, they hop onto websites like starfall.com, multiplication.com and freetypinggames.net, where kids forget that they're learning as they play. Above, Maynor practices his reading skills on starfall.com and below, another group of students shares use of the computers to practice typing and multiplication tables.

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities administers the programs of the Cook Library Center.

Spring and Sewing

Spring is just around the corner, and while many students are anxiously awaiting spring break, Calvin College students have already had theirs. Many college students head to the beaches to catch a spring break swim, but the Calvin College students that volunteer at the Cook Library Center had a different idea of fun. They decided to join our students at the library for a celebration of spring; helping with homework (as usual) and enjoying cupcakes while they chatted with students about their spring break plans and how they are doing in school. We're so lucky to have such an awesome group of volunteers!



Over at the Cook Arts Center, our sewing classes have proved that hard work pays off. Starting with scraps of material, creative ideas and determination, students created pin cushions, pillows and purses. Our sewing classes have had the invaluable experience of seeing first-hand how much work it takes to create handmade items and how wonderful it is to turn creative ideas into functioning items. Nice work guys!

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities administers the programs of the Cook Library Center and the Cook Arts Center.

Calvin Volunteers - Career Day

Calvin College student volunteers, Melissa and Becca, came to visit for Career Day at the Cook Library Center and got the chance to talk to our students about their potential careers and what life is like at Calvin College. Melissa had some encouraging words to share about doing well in school, telling them, "The better your grades are, the more money you get for college!"

The students fired off questions about life in the dorms, cafeteria food, and how college students choose their classes. Melissa and Becca gave them all the details, and got them excited for the Cook Library Center's annual spring visit to Calvin College! Grandville Avenue kids get a first hand look at Calvin's campus and even get to eat in the college cafeteria. Staff and students are looking forward to the adventure, and we are reminded how lucky we are to have so many devoted Calvin College student volunteers at the Cook Library Center. We can't thank them enough!

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities administers the programs of the Cook Library Center.

Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle

Last Friday, some of our fabulous GVSU volunteers traveled downtown to Rosa Parks Circle with a group of students from the Cook Library Center. There, they had a fun-filled afternoon of ice-skating, followed by hot chocolate and carriage rides. Ms. Sue got the chance to show off her ice skating skills while the hot chocolate from Biggby Coffee kept everyone warm. Riding in the horse-drawn carriage was especially fun, as it was only two days after the big snowstorm and downtown Grand Rapids was beautifully snow-covered.

Special Tribute to our Volunteers

Each semester, dozens of college students from our local universities, including Calvin, Aquinas, and Grand Valley, donate their time to help the programs at both the Cook Arts Center and the Cook Library Center. These wonderful young people help with everything from homework help and class set up, to picking up students from our local elementary schools and walking them safely to our facilities.

These students are often looking to fulfill a volunteer requirement for their classes, but we are always delighted that they have chosen to spend that time working with the children of the Grandville Avenue neighborhood. The children who visit our facilities know them by name and are quick to greet them.

Noelle, a volunteer at the Arts Center, said yesterday “I get so attached to the kids. I’m so sad when they won’t be in Ms. Sue’s [Drawing for Kids] class next session.” Though Noelle is studying abroad for the month of January during the upcoming Art Center classes, she looks forward to coming back and volunteering again, and we look forward to the stories and experiences she can share with our students from her time in China.

Thank you, volunteers!

Cook Library Center's 2nd Birthday!

We wanted to take this opportunity to send out a big thank you to
all of our donors for great two years at the Cook Library
Center in our new home at 1100 Grandville Avenue SW.  Thank you
for your support because it helps us to help our community!


Thank you also to Calvin StreetFest participants from Boer-Benink
Hall.  Our Cook Library students recently worked alongside the
Calvin volunteers to help clean our library.  We organized books
and cleaned the many windows in our library.  Thank you Calvin
volunteers for all your help!

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities administers the programs 
of the Cook Library Center.