Hope Street proudly participated in the annual RDNS Where the Heart is...Community Festival held on Friday, 20th March 2015 at Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy’s North.   In the spirit of creating an inclusive, therapeutic and youth focused space, Hope Street’s Youth Reconciliation Worker, Louise Maree and Boost Specialist Practitioner, Ksenya Kupres (with the guidance of Hope Street's RDNS Super Nurse Cath) organised our first ever Hope Street Stall.   It was an opportunity for festival-goers to experience the tranquillity and healing effects of colouring in the mandala.  Kmart in Brunswick kindly donated colouring pencils so that festival-goers were able to colour in a mandala whilst visiting the Hope Street Stall. 

People who colour in mandalas often experience a deep sense of calm and well-being – the rhythmic motions involved in colouring the mandala is soothing, whilst the ‘actual process’ of colouring enables a sense of serenity.   It combines the benefits of meditation with the benefits of art therapy.  It's a simple tool that doesn't require any expertise and is said to be soothing and enhance a sense of well-being.

In addition to our stall, Hope Street Youth Residential Worker, Kate Clarke; well-known singer/song writer Monica Weightman and the Hope Street Gold Stars, Mia and Kathy kept the crowds entertained with a spectacular performance that had everyone dancing and ‘up on their feet.’  The Hope Street Gold Stars is a project supported by under Merri-bek City Council's Community Grants Program.

Photo Album

Hope Street looks forward to again participating in next year’s RDNS Where the Heart is... Community Festival 2016. 

Click on our Photo Album to view a selection of photos taken at this great community event.