Program Overview
Brainwave Buddies is an art-based creative mentorship program that is designed to bring together students that identify as neurodiverse from both 91³Ô¹ÏÍø University and Yasuhara Middle School. It aims to foster a sense of community amongst the students (grades 6-8) through creative-based curriculum that is adaptable to the unique needs of the participants. This program aims to provide students with the support and tools to promote self-advocacy for their own unique needs and strengths, both in and outside of the classroom. Our curriculum also aims to create confidence in post-secondary education and career exploration of students who identify as neurodivergent, through the lived experience of our mentors and student leaders. Mentors will attend weekly programming (Mondays 3:00-5:30 PM) at Yasuhara Middle School and a monthly lunch visit. Mentors will also be required to attend a weekly meeting with their student leaders and AmeriCorps to discuss the upcoming activity.
We would like to thank local Spokane small business, Art Salvage, for their generosity and donation of second-hand art supplies for our students to use creatively.
If you are interested in becoming involved, contact Jen Palm at 509-313-6486 or palmj@gonzaga.edu or Lainey Klein at 509-313-4605 or kleinm@gonzaga.edu.