Cavalia: A First for Most!

Raising Expectations works hard to bring new and unique opportunities to the youth we serve through our Social Discovery programs. Before Christmas Cavalia donated some great tickets for their Oddyseo performance. For most of our youth seeing this amazing show with horses, acrobats and performers from all over the world, was a first. Here are just a few of the comments they shared about their experience at Cavalia:


On a scale of 1-5, how much did you enjoy this fieldtrip? why?
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"5, I loved it!"
"I've never seen a horse up close."
"The show and horses made me feel calm."
"I loved the acrobats and the tricks the horses did."


Have you ever been to a show like this before?
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All responses were a no. These are the windows we have to change a child's perspective and view about what is possible in the future.


How did the show make you feel?
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"..like I was in a fantasy"
"awesome!"
"relaxed and calm"
"curious and excited"

Describe this show in 3 words.
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amazing, extraordinary, fantastic
vivid, impressive, fun
outstanding, tremendous, exciting
fantastic, incredible, interesting

Through Their Eyes: Poetic Reflections

As a part of RE's weekly programs, all of our youth are enrolled in activities that we call Enriching Experiences. The poems below are reflections from a class entitled, Creative Expressions, which is led by our in-house and talented artist, Mr. Kevin Parker. Enjoy these poems from several of our middle school youth. Feel free to respond and give these young people some positive reinforcement for their effort.

Torn by Nayya Greaves

Torn down and new built back up
They say our generation will never make the cut
But lets prove them wrong
And stand strong like King Kong

Killing and abusing one another
Thought we were supposed to help not hurt our sisters and brothers
Follow in our ancestor steps
Enhance out Black History in which they kept, in our hearts!
Nayya Greaves
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ONE by Eddie Turner

We sit and look
But take nothing

We dont care
All we do is sit and stare

Not us all but most
And most is us
And us is you and I
And I is me
And I need to show all
And little did you know
The word all is 1
Eddie turner
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Speechless by Rashad Bates

I really dont have anything to say
But
My generation has passed away
Its a big huge mess
None of us want more, just less

We have all died
And
The white man lied
'u
Black on Black crime
So poor cant even buy a lime!
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My Generation by Phyllis Thomas

Is a Mess
We live in
the unfair
die for the other
children come next

As you look at it
Decreasing
Becoming less

Our neighborhood
Its so messed up
People are misunderstood

We sit and don't care
about our city, its not up to the mayor

Its crazy
people do what they have to do
It’s up to you!