“That wasn’t the song I wanted!” exclaims one of our young girls with a glare.

Her friend shrugs and then glares back.

They are in the first moments of the DJ (disk jockey) workshop as part of this week’s spring break Hip Hop Camp at Joshua Station. Before each girl can storm away from each other, they get coached in the technical and artistic skill of digitally mixing both of their chosen songs together and integrating the beats. As you can imagine, their young minds catch on fast with the tech. After a bit they are dancing together between taps and knob turns on the electronic mixing board.

“I love what our instructor said about the fundamental roots of Hip Hop decades ago,” says our Youth Advocate Grace Dean. “It was a unifying force and often a non-violent means of resolving conflict.” Young people at odds with each other might engage in “breaking” (dancing) street contests. A multi-faceted urban artform evolved.

As with last year’s drumming and drone flying training for Joshua Station youth, Hip Hop camp instructors were a gracious gift of Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center in Five Points, Denver. They turned our downstairs youth activities space into a rich mix of color, movement, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), relational learning, and important themes that align with values of our own youth programming. In particular, Hip Hop’s four original core elements are:

  • Unity

  • Love

  • Peace

  • Friendship

Each camp day begins with break dancing—children not simply getting the wiggles out but learning body movements new to them. Corkscrew and Coffee Grinder. “This is hard… I don’t want to try” turns into tentative steps. Basic elements come together into individual routines, where each child takes the stage to rhythmic clapping and encouraging cheers.

Next up is DJ-ing with electronic turntables connected with software on tablets, wired to their headphones. STEM skills join hands with artistic expression and collaboration!

After a yummy lunch each day we dive into graffiti art. Some kids take to it quickly; others need coaxing. The results are colorful and delightfully creative—with much pride on display in the sharing.

“Without even realizing it,” Grace observes, our Joshua Station youth spend their spring break learning. Not just head learning, but our Hip Hop Camp kids participate in exactly the same Housing That Heals elements their parents are working on at Joshua Station through advocacy, beauty, and community.” Hip Hop’s body movement, rhythm, affirmation, expression—all are tangible ways God brings a healing touch to precious young lives who have survived much and already have much to offer our world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help us raise $90,000 for our Joshua Station families by April 10!

Please also join us and invite friends to our

Spring Into Caring Celebration Event

When: Thursday April 10, 5:15-7:00pm

Where: Mile High Ministries, 913 North Wyandot Street, Denver

What: Enjoy heavy appetizers, beverages, and relaxed time with staff in our MHM Great Room. Then we’ll go next door to Joshua Station for dessert with our wonderful residents.

RSVP by Friday April 4:

For more information about this campaign or the celebration event, please contact Jill Gilley by email or phone 303-839-5198 x109.