Tackling mental health with satire and comedy! This project will support the distribution of free coloring books and board games to the youth in the Cleveland Juvenile Detention Center and families in the Cleveland area.
Leader
Eugene Sopher
Location
9300 Quincy Ave Cleveland, OH 44106
I have been volunteering at the Cleveland Juvenile Detention Center for the past few months and have made it a priority to distribute "Cold City" board games and "The Bear that Cares" coloring books. These materials are critical because they stimulate creativity and allow the users to engage with information, stories, and context related specifically to their everyday lives but with a fun twist.
The long-term goal is to spread impact throughout the Cleveland community and uplift the realities of families in the Cleveland inner city. I want to empower others with the opportunity to create the world they want by connecting with them and encouraging their imagination using these materials. My communities of focus are families of color in the inner city, although I believe the "Cold City" board games and "The Bear that Cares" coloring books to be beneficial to all demographics and backgrounds.
1.) Continue volunteering at the Cleveland Juvenile Detention Center while raising funds and building connections and networks throughout the Cleveland inner city.
2.) Secure funds through ioby project and community fundraising.
3.) Use funds to purchase "Cold City" board games and "The Bear that Cares" coloring books.
4.) Distribute "Cold City" board games and "The Bear that Cares" coloring books to the children at the Cleveland Juvenile Detention Center and families from the Cleveland inner city community.
My name is Eugene Sopher, I was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio in the ghetto with two working parents. Both of my parents dealt with mental health issues, which left me with mental illness issues as well. Growing up, I loved to draw and create my own characters that would come to mind. When I would lose my temper, I would draw and hours would go by. Then, I would forget about what I was mad about. Drawing saved my life.
When I was in jail/prison, I would draw my cartoons for the inmates and didn’t have to write/call home for $$$. Drawing was definitely my medicine coming up (and still is). In 2018 and 2020, I lost my parents and I just started to get my gift(Art)notice. I feel like they are both looking down at me so they can look up to me.
I am on a mission….to have everybody take care of their mental health! My coloring book “The Bear that Cares “and my board game “Cold City” is a way for me to talk to the inner city (the hood) and encourage my Black community to go to therapy when needed. Now, I go around speaking on mental health by sharing my story and allow others to tell their stories, too. I volunteer at the Cleveland Juvenile Detention Center 3 times a week and speak to young men on the streets who are misguided. I need help putting my "Cold City" board games and "The Bear that Cares" coloring books, in the hands of as many people who need it as I can. It is my duty as a Black Man in America to help those who look like me see the light and to be proud of who/what they are in life!
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