Earlier in the year I had a meeting with Leah Houston and Liz Rucker at Mabellearts to talk about an evolution of a social therapeutic clowning model (which could be grouped under the more globally common term of humanitarian clowning) that served their community throughout the pandemic. They connected me with their Welcome to the Neighbourhood program and an organization called COSTI, which, among other services, offers hostel services to peoples searching for temporary accommodations, initial settlement services and support during the refugee claimant process.
So in September and October, together with Mabellearts, RNR brought a team of therapeutic clowns to meet newcomer and refugee families in northern Etobicoke. During the two pop-up weekends the clowns and Mabellearts artists met around 80 children and their guardians. These children led the clowns in song-making, game-playing, model-walking, posing, and dancing.
As you can see from these photos, no fun was had at all.
We recognize the reality that settling in a new country brings with it. And we also recognize the need to play, to laugh and to smile with one another.
I have hope we can keep these programs going in the future. I am so inspired by the fantastic work that is happening around the world in this field, work by Clowns Without Borders, Clown Me In and Doutores da Alegria's Intervencoes Urbanas among others. By continuing to look at and learn from my global peers, I believe we can bring joy and humour to those who need it the most right here at home.
If you would like to support the future of these programs you can do so by donating to Red Nose Remedy on our ko-fi page (or through the handy widget here on our site). Your support will enable us to alleviate the feelings of isolation and uncertainty that comes with arriving in a new land.
-Andrew