A MOTHERLAND, INC. & Shakespeare Outreach Production
IN COLLABORATION WITH
NAACP, Houston Branch
Therapeutic Group Drama
Plays are written, directed, and performed by PWA & Substance Abuse issues. Come and join us in telling your story.
"Nurturing and Healing through The Arts"
"THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE"
A DRAMATIZATION OF THE
SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PRAGMATIC IMPLICATIONS
OF HIV/AIDS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
"That's Why We're Here"
is a 45-minute dramatization of living that resonates with the challenges of dealing with HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. It provides an intimate powerful and intimate portrait of real people struggling to restore dignity and respect in their own lives while trying to raise the level of public consciousness to new heights. Performed by a cast of eight that is predominantly African-American, the play does not overwhelm its audience with trendy technical terms or guilt. It also does not solicit pity or sympathy for the cast members who are either living with the disease or affected by it. "That's Why We're Here"
may be seen as a revelation of strength, commitment, courage and a strong desire to share.
The play
invites school age children, adults, families and other social groups to participate in a cathartic experience that is educational, enriching, empowering and inspirational. For the audience, the story lines invoke feelings of empathy, understanding and an immediate willingness to join the campaign against HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. Watching the animated spirit and abundant release of positive energy from the audience captures the magic in the air during and after each performance.
"That's Why We're Here"
is a constant reminder that we all have to accept and deal with the consequences of our choices. This is particularly true for the cast since most of them are either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. Their performances offer them an emotional release and a stronger sense of who they are and how they can make a meaningful contribution to their communities. Because the cast also is involved in writing the scripts, each performance reinforces the sentiment that coping and taking control of one's life are viable options.
"That's Why We're Here"
provides the actors a unique opportunity to develop a better appreciation of life and to build a stronger moral platform from which to gauge their existence.
For actors and audiences,
"That's Why We're Here"
encourages us to revisit familial relationships. It also makes to reflect on our human dispositions and to dispel myths, misconceptions and stereotypes. For MotherLand, Inc.,
"That's Why We're Here"
is a message of hope, tolerance, understanding, knowledge, human respect and dignity.
From: MotherLand, Inc. A special thanks to AIDS Foundation of Houston, and Volunteers of America for making their facilities available for play rehearsals and productions.
In general, counseling literature suggests that the potential for drug abuse relapse is high for clients in treatment programs. Preventative programs for substance abuse also tend to be fairly unsuccessful in reducing use and abuse. Treatments and approaches that show promise of positive results are ones that focus a great deal of effort on development of social skills and the promotion of alternative activities and lifestyles. In this regard, the idea of a therapeutic drama group setting forces the participants to develop and effectively utilize skills necessary to interact and communicate with each other as well as their audience. Portraying alternative ways of living to oneself and others serves a model for those searching for a different way to live, a life without drugs.
The focus of the drama therapy project is making the participants appreciate the importance of becoming involved in their own personal recovery. Involvement in drama therapy promotes positive growth in participants in the following ways:
Participants are empowered as they develop a sense of purpose and direction through involvement in the drama component.
Participant self -esteem is enhanced by being a part of a total drama process that requires active participation from the initial idea phase to the final form of the play and public performances.
Participants build a sense of community by creating a drama that evolves around real life experiences and which allows them to engage in a "shared" experience with the audience.
MotherLand, Inc. uses the skills of former addicts who have been involved in the performing arts as well as others who are willing to participate. Not all participants are required to act. Responsibilities in areas such as costume design, stage direction, and play writing allow individuals to express themselves and claim some ownership of the process.
The individuals selected to participate in the program meet once a week with a therapist for counseling, artistic expression sessions, and brainstorming on potential ideas/themes for a play which expresses the unique stories of the participants. Members of the drama troupe will meet on a weekly basis with professionals of Shakespeare Outreach, including a playwright, a costume/stage person, and an artistic coordinator. These meetings serve as icebreakers and assist in developing the final form of the production. Actual practice sessions are expected to extend for approximately four months, and then the drama troupe is ready to perform before a public audience. A counselor/therapist from MotherLand, Inc. is present at all preparations, rehearsals and performance sessions.
By inference, therapeutic drama productions organized by MotherLand, Inc. offer participants the most beneficial aspects of group counseling. In this group process model, individuals have the opportunity to discover that their problems and situations are not unique. They share information and learn from each other. This sense of universality allows group members to view their problems with a new and often different perspective and to look beyond themselves. Therapeutic group drama allows this altruism to be extended further, thus enhancing the function of the participants as helpers. It becomes apparent that as group members write, direct and act out the realities of life, they not only share their personal stories, they develop a vital role in the larger community. Sharing their messages brings other people together and enhances the self-esteem of those in the production.
No doubt, the honest expression, dialogue and interaction of the participants as they relive experiences and situations allow for new self-statements and modified guides for thinking and behavior. With each performance these new patterns are reinforced and participants acquire coping skills that can be applied to current problems as well as future ones. Having effective coping skills framework greatly increases the recovery process.
HIV/Substance Abuse Support Group
Slogan: "Drugs have no boundaries.
MotherLand, Inc. involves volunteer adult recovering addicts who have experienced street life in educating young people about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and other self-destructive behavior, in an effort to develop a personal commitment to change. The process thus comes full circle as these high-risk youth not only build self-esteem but also help their peers establish a frame of reference for success.
Peer Education
MotherLand, Inc. views peer education as a way for persons who participate in the program to gain and share information about HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. Persons who participate in any peer education program under the auspices of MotherLand, Inc. are expected to develop a strong sense of self, empathy, discipline, altruism as well as a willingness to assume responsibility and ownership of their environment. MotherLand, Inc. uses a modified version of the Reach One Teach One program which relies on different and standalone modules.
The training of peer educators is on a voluntary basis and relies on a diverse targeted population (including persons in the criminal justice system). It emphasizes the advantage of establishing a group contact because the coherence and viability of the educational activities are influenced often by the rules that govern the behavior of the participants. The peer education program also stresses the importance of confidentiality and anonymity. The participants utilize role-playing and are encouraged to deal with lingering biases and stereotypes.
Peer Counseling Therapy (Onsite and off-site)
Peer counseling is conducted at various onsite and off-site locations (including temporary shelters, transitional living facilities, correctional institutions, probation programs, residential treatment and community centers). Each session includes information, dialogue, demonstration and skill practices. MotherLand, Inc. uses a small group approach to deliver various interventions. The participants work toward developing a plan that reduces risks and maintains positive behavioral changes. Information on HIV, STDs, substance abuse, risk factors, risk reduction techniques, testing, safer sex negotiation, sexual communication skills, relapse prevention, self-esteem are the topics of most discussions in the small group settings. MotherLand, Inc. expects the participants to leave each counseling session with an individual risk plan. The small group dynamics is designed also to reflect the belief system, language and cultural traits of the target population.
Youth-based Services
MotherLand, Inc. not only focuses on community-based programs for the youth. It also seeks to extend its counseling services to local school systems. One of its school-based intervention programs is designed to instill a sense of worth and purpose in the youth and prevent them from experimenting with or using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD). It is the general purpose of the program to offer enriching experiences and positive social interaction as well as increased parental involvement. In this regard, the program works to discourage youth participation in violent activities.
The underlying objectives of this program include:
Group skills, self-awareness, human relations, peer counseling, communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and relationship dynamics;
Preventing ATODs use and related problems, violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and other social and health problems;
School and community resources and referral procedures; and
Decision making/critical thinking.
A. MotherLand Recovery Tools
MotherLand Recovery Tools (MRT) is one means by which our counseling services target latchkey children, and at-risk youth, both male and females, ages 10 through 21 who are elementary, middle and high school students. For many of these at-risk youth who may have potential for violence and ATOD-related problems, the focus of MRT is a vital lifeline. The idea of starting MRT came from a strong desire to work beyond the traditional intervention programs which usually have high rates of recidivism, and to find a more effective treatment for drug abuse problems and violent behaviors.
MRT, as a prevention/intervention and treatment center, offers high quality, cost effective, individualized and structured outpatient services. The ultimate goal is to assist the chemically dependent individual to achieve and maintain a life of abstinence. The treatment approach relies on recognizing addiction to ATOD as a treatable disease. The treatment emphasizes the re-integration of the client into the community and foster activities that prevent relapse and criminal activity. Some of the services provided include assessment, an individual treatment plan, individual and group therapy, life coping skills and techniques, family and social rehabilitation, personal hygiene, HIV education and counseling, art therapy, conflict resolution, support group meeting and recreational activities.
MRT is guided by the philosophy that each individual who visits the facility will be provided with the highest quality of clinical care. All adolescent clients have the right to access and receive care at MRT regardless of their socioeconomic condition, sex, creed or ethnicity. MRT takes the position that it exists to meet the needs of the community and to fulfill its statement of mission. MRT believes that the prevention and treatment of addiction to ATOD may require a wide variety of intervention techniques depending on the needs of each client. In providing therapy in a protective environment, MRT recognizes and respects the individuality of the client, family and works hard to sustain their self-respect, dignity and rights.
MRT disseminates information on violence and/or ATOD awareness among the students in conjunction with other preventive and intervention measures to provide a means to lessen any foreseen dysfunctional behaviors among the participants. MRT begins with a short-term substance abuse prevention curriculum. We use an innovative approach, that includes dancing, music, comedy, poetry, clinical drama and art, to help prevent drug use and reduce or eliminate violent activities for clients who are so inclined and are gifted (or willing to try) these forms of art. These visual and performing arts provide a forum through which youth can express their experiences, pain, concerns, hopes and aspirations. We believe this is a healthy way to help them vent their feelings and improve their self-esteem, and at the same time educate the public in matters concerning drug abuse and school violence.
Participants work with therapists and art/drama directors and display or perform for public audiences and/or other schools. Professionals direct students in the development of their own theme rather than teach them artificial role-playing. This allows them to express themselves and claim some ownership of the process. All staff working with the participants collaborates to ensure a structured program with clearly defined goals and objectives.
MRT identifies and refers youth for individual/group sessions upon receiving written consent and approval by their parents. MRT emphasizes the importance of client confidentiality in providing services to its clientele. Adequate consent forms are provided to educate the participants of their rights and also of the types of therapeutic services to be provided to them. To provide a sense of continuity, an on-going flow of communication is encouraged between participants, family members, school officials and MRT staff. MRT has received tremendous support from several community organizations. Articles about MRT programs have also been featured in the Houston Chronicle and on Channel 13/KTRK (crossroad) program, as well as the Houston Access Community Television Channel.
B. Voices of Our Youth
"Voices of Our Youth" is an after-school program that relies on drama to offer the most beneficial aspects of group counseling and other benefits to at-risk youth in middle and high schools. In March 1997, MotherLand, Inc. entered into collaboration with Shakespeare Outreach of the Drama Department of the University of Houston to facilitate the use of improvisational theater techniques as an adjunct to traditional therapeutic strategies. This group process model gives students the opportunity to discover that their problems and circumstances are not unique. As group/cast members share information and learn from each other, they develop a sense of universality that permits them to view their problems with a new and often broader outlook.
Services 
