Small pieces…big pictures was the theme for Break Through 2012, One Stone’s alternative spring break project. The event was held in Marsing, Idaho, population 1,031.  Much of the two-day project was focused on turning tragedy into change, as this small town was still reeling from the loss of Taylor Sauer, a Marsing High School graduate who was killed while texting and driving. At the time of her death, Taylor was in college studying to be a teacher. As a memorial to her, the town had envisioned an outdoor classroom at Marsing Elementary School.

How do you get a roomful of 2nd grade students to fall in love with reading? Make it LEAP off the page! LEAP was a project designed to inspire a love of reading by making the story come to life. One Stone team members channeled their inner thespians to act out Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. The book was selected through guidance from an elementary school teacher on age-appropriate reading, and the skit was developed with coaching from a local professional actor.

One Stone had an interest in learning more about the foster care system and how we could support foster care families. Through conversations with experts in the field, we learned that a challenge in working with foster care families was confidentiality. Based on this, we sought out opportunities to engage with these families organically, in a way that our recipient was most comfortable. After building relationships with service providers and the Health and Welfare community, we came upon the perfect opportunity. One Stone was invited to provide games, activities and fun at a picnic for Treasure Valley foster care families, that would serve as a connectivity point for foster care families.

How might we provide a meaningful experience that gives One Stone team members a chance to learn more and connect with children on the autism spectrum?

Connect was a project deeply rooted in empathy work. One Stone team members sought to understand the way children with autism, and their parents, experience the world. With excellent guidance from the Idaho Center for Autism and the Autism Society of the Treasure Valley, we learned how we could create an event that would be meaningful for these kids, their parents and One Stone team members: a SUPER play date.

Seeing the unseen need was the theme of Break Through 2011, which focused on the complex issue of homelessness. This project was deeply rooted in empathy, with opportunities to learn from experts in the field, as well as the people experiencing homelessness. Break Through volunteers began the project with a Poverty Simulation, a three-hour interactive simulation of the experience of living in poverty and the challenges it brings. With greater understanding, we moved forward in the project, working with area shelters, including the Boise Rescue Mission, Women’s and Children’s Alliance and City Light Home for Women to do hands-on improvement projects at each location. Further opportunity for understanding came with a dinner and children’s carnival for residents of City Light, where students shared a meal with the families, learned more about their stories and experienced equally the joy in simple games and cotton candy.

How might we create an experience for refugee kids that helps build confidence and fosters a sense of community?

Boise is a federally designated refugee resettlement area, meaning that many new Americans from far off places are making Boise their home. One Stone team members were interested in engaging with these new American kids, in an effort to welcome them to the community.

How might we change negative perceptions of teens in the small town of Wilder, Idaho through service to the community?

The town of Wilder, Idaho (population 1,533) is a small farming community in Idaho with 37% of those 18 and under living below the poverty line. When we first connected with the City leadership, the community was facing many challenges associated with the high rate of poverty. One of them was petty crime, which had led to a number of correctional system teams doing court ordered community service. So while the City was in need of unpaid labor, their experience had not only been positive. A team of One Stone students set out to change that with Break Through Wilder in 2010.

How might we help grow Big Brothers Big Sisters’ capacity to serve more kids?

Kids helping kids was the solution to our how might we question. Recognizing the need for funding to grow capacity for this program we love, we staged Magical Moments...Leaps and Bounds, a fundraising event for Big Brothers Big Sisters. One Stone students created an evening of experiences that let adults feel what it’s like to connect to a little person in need. Through elaborately staged backdrops of parks, playgrounds and picnics, adults got to experience their own “magical moments” for a transformative evening of support.