Crafting Gratitude Workshop: A Two-Part Wellness Series

About the Event

Join Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach Inc. for an intergenerational workshop series exploring the many ways we experience and express gratitude — through conversation, craft, creative writing, and the meditative art of ikebana. This event is a collaboration between The Confined Arts Program by Another Choice NYC & Harlem Strong Project at The Center of Innovation in Mental Health.

This event will be photographed and recorded. Entering the event space means you give permission for your likeness to be used for promotional and archival purposes.

Session 1: Cardmaking

September 19th | 2PM–5 PM

📍Mount Zion A.M.E. Church (1765 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10029)

We'll open with a grounding movement session before diving into a group discussion on what gratitude means to us, how we show it, and what can make it hard to express. Participants will then create personalized cards using collage and creative writing to express gratitude toward someone or something meaningful in their lives. No experience necessary — all materials and inspiration provided!

Session 2: Flower Arrangement with Ikebana

September 26th | 2PM–5PM

📍Mount Zion A.M.E. Church (1765 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10029)

Building on our first session, we'll explore gratitude through the lens of nature and introduce participants to Ikebana, the meditative Japanese art of floral arrangement centered on balance, mindfulness, and inner peace. Using origami and craft techniques, participants will design their own gratitude-inspired arrangements to take home.

Who's it for? Everyone! This workshop is designed for participants of all ages and backgrounds.

Price: Suggested donations: $0, $5, $10

What you'll explore: Self-reflection, empathy, and community connection through hands-on creativity — no artistic experience required.

Led by: Teaching Artists Diomenne Diakite, Nikhila Kanneganti, and Spencer Washington

Come for one session or both — each is a standalone experience, and together they form a full journey through the many meanings of gratitude.

About the Organizers

The Center for Innovation in Mental Health (CIMH) is an academic training and research center that promotes the reach and adoption of effective mental health interventions through research, evaluation, training, and policy. CIMH engages in local and global efforts to advance mental health service and research to improve access and quality of mental health care.

Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach (ACYFO) is an East Harlem based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to supportive services for local youth, families, seniors and especially citizens returning from incarceration. We use strategic arts engagement as a tool to engage the East Harlem community to disrupt violence, and promote public safety.