Art lightens up Bockman Park
Megan Strickland
Ezra TwoTeeth uses a rolling ball to make a colorful creation that matches her dress.
Megan Strickland
Mariah Old Person and Ozzie Old Person play with paint.
Megan Strickland
Works of art blow in the breeze.
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
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RONAN – Nine-year-old Ezra TwoTeeth was having an issue taking all the fun in at once as she alternatively kept admiring and hitting a free balloon, rolling a paint-splattered ball to rub colors across a pieces of paper, dipping her feet into a shallow plate of chartreuse paint and making footprints on a piece of paper.
“Mine is going to be the most messy,” she giggled, as she wiggled her foot around, with an ear-to-ear grin.
Ezra was one of dozens of children who came out for the Art in the Park event on July 31 sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Teens program.
Kiddos had fun getting creative, chowing down on free snow cones and playing in the park.
“I think it is great,” parent Jodi Ramirez said. “It is well-needed in the community to have something the kids can do in the summer.”
Parent Eurikya Caye brought three children to the event, who had tons of fun.
“I think it’s a really good program for kids to be creative,” Caye said.
Program director Michaelann Stasso said her team wanted to take advantage of the Kids’ Fishing Derby and other events that drew in parents during Ronan Pioneer Days to hopefully pull them in and let them know about resources available while their children had an opportunity to play. Stasso’s group and Lake County Health Department were on hand to let pregnant young people up to age 21 know that there is help available if they find themselves struggling.
“We try to catch them before they fall through the cracks,” Stasso said.
Help comes in the form of free parent education sessions, helping setting and attaining educational goals, and if necessary, additional referral to other resources meant to combat homelessness and mental illness.
Stasso said some people might be apprehensive about asking for help, but that people should do it anyway.
“Call and ask questions,” Stasso said. “Be informed. There are a lot of services available for people in crisis. It’s just a matter of asking.”
Interested parents can call 406-675-2700 ext 1214 for more information about how resources available through the program.
