It is designed as a multidisciplinary program which operates primarily through the AU social work program, university-wide service learning assignments, community volunteers, and a partnership with the Opelika Sportsplex therapeutic recreation program. BraveHearts represents a model collaborative partnership between Auburn University and Opelika Parks and Recreation Department. It also aims to provide experiences which assist college students in understanding the strengths, needs and abilities of individuals with special needs while enhancing the community’s current offerings for youth and young adults with moderate to severe disabilities. Program DescriptionĮxpressions of a BraveHeart is a comprehensive fine arts program offering art, music, and dance to youth and young adults (11-21 years old) who have special needs, primarily those with moderate to severe disabilities. The program aims to provide the preteens, teens, and young adults an opportunity to participate in an on-going arts enrichment program in a setting which supports the development and maintenance of positive peer interactions, relationships, and friendships.
Therefore, BraveHearts aims to provide consistent, supportive, structured activities that develop and reinforce friendships allow preteens, youth and young adults with special needs to explore and develop their interests and enhance their sense of belonging and accomplishment relative to the larger community in which they live. In addition, parents struggle to find programs and activities in the community that consistently address the teen’s psycho- social needs, abilities and strengths in a supportive and knowledgeable setting. Unfortunately, there are few, if any, general school programs (music, theatre, etc), teams or clubs in junior high and high school which potential BraveHeart club members can be involved due to the intensity of supervision, attention and skill needed to provide meaningful and positive experiences.
By age 11 or 12, many of those with moderate to severe disabilities spend most of their school days in "self-contained" classes, requiring a teacher and 1 or 2 teacher's aides to assist. Challenges often associated with moderate to severe disabilities include communication difficulties, sensory impairments, gross and fine motor skill limitations, and cognitive impairments. Learn more about BraveHeartsĪs preteens, youth, and young adults with special needs, especially those with moderate to severe disabilities, grow and advance in school, their opportunities to integrate and participate in the community become more limited. Thanks to the Opelika Sportsplex for donating the space for Expressions of a BraveHeart. Volunteers complete orientation and are provided training throughout the semester.
The program is managed by 3 Auburn University Social Work faculty members and facilitated by approximately 70‐80 Auburn University students from a variety of majors. There is NO cost to participating families.īraveHearts is a collaboration between the Auburn University Social Work Program and Opelika Parks and Recreation Department. BraveHearts is a safe, respectful, and understanding setting where your family member can develop friendships, explore fine arts, and enhance self-esteem.īraveHearts meets Monday evenings at the Opelika Sportsplex during spring and fall semesters for art, music, and dance classes. Azmal Uddin, Md.Expressions of a BraveHeart (also known as BraveHearts) is a fine arts program offering art, music, and dance classes to enhance the quality of life for preteens, youth, and young adults (11–21 years old) with moderate to severe disabilities. Dhali Tomal, Abdul Guffar Babu, Abdullah Al Bashir, Afrozaa Jamil Konka, Ahmed Shamsuddoha, Alakesh Ghosh, Aloptogin Tushar, Amirul Momanin Chowdhury, Amit Nandi, Anisuzzaman Anis, Anukul Chandra Mojumder, Azmeer Hossain, Azmol Hossain, Biren Shome, Bishwajit Goswami, Dheeman Kumar Biswas, Dilip Kumar Karmakar, Farhad Hossain, Hamiduzzaman Khan, Iqbal Bahar Chy, Jamal Ahamed, Jayanta Mondal, Jayanta Sarkar John, Kamruzzoha, Kuhu Plamondon, Maneek Bonik, Md. UNB and Dhaka Courier will serve as Media and Knowledge partner, respectively.Ī.
The exhibition is supported by Cosmos Foundation. BRAVE HEART : A Virtual Art, Photography & Multimedia Exhibition of 42 artists on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, organised by Gallery Cosmos from 14 – 31 August 2020 at to celebrate Birth Centenary of our Father of the Nation and observe National Mourning Day.īRAVE HEART is showcasing 50 artworks along with a photography exhibition and video presentation on its virtual gallery.