COMMUNICYCLE AND INTERPLAY at the CCC

COMMUNICYCLE and INTERPLAY ATLANTA. (photo by Ruth Schowalter)

written by Ruth Schowalter, Certified InterPlay Leader and InterPlay Art & Soul Creativity Coach

InterPlay Atlanta certified leaders, Ruth Schowalter and Jennifer Denning, are dedicated to bringing a free "taste" of InterPlay to the Clarkston Community Center (CCC) the first Saturday of every month from June to November, when the Clarkston Community Market vendors gather bringing organic and nutritiously prepared foods and artisan wares. 

One of the most diverse neighborhoods in the United States, the Clarkston community is comprised of long-time Americans and newly arrived refugees. What a surprise Jennifer and I had on Saturday, September 5th, when we arrived and discovered the market had been cancelled because of expected inclement weather!

CANCELLED CLARKSTON COMMUNITY MARKET! (photo by Ruth Schowalter)

Yet! There was a lot of activity going on one side of the space where market tents and tables are usually set up. What was it? Who was there?

COMMUNICYCLE WORKSHOP. (photo by Ruth Schowalter)

COMMUNICYCLE!
Communicycle is a CCC program that welcomes community members to use tools and supplies in their bicycle repair shop. People who need bikes can make small donations and also earn a bike through work in the shop.

Instead of leaving, I asked Justin Okello, one of the Clarkston Community Center employees working at the Communicycle shop if the children there would like to InterPlay with Jennifer, her daughter Elise, and me. Justin, who was familiar with me from previous months of bringing InterPlay to the market, smiled and said that the children would be receiving their bikes and safety tips and then might play with us after that!

KEEP CALM AND BIKE IN. The sign on the bike expresses an aspect of safety. I was soon to discover, however, the Communicycle program did not have funds at this time to issue the children bike helmets with their bikes. (photo by Ruth Schowalter)

For close to 30 minutes, we had so much fun engaging with youths from Congo and Rwanda and other African countries, who had just received their bikes. Jennifer facilitated a fun imaginative InterPlay warmup after which I led an energetic following-leading session.

WARMUP WITH JENNIFER DENNING. (photo by Ruth Schowalter)

The Georgia sun and humid air caused us to burst out in beaded sweat, so we finished in the shade at the picnic tables with this photo.

POST INTERPLAY AT THE CCC. (photo by Communicycle participant)

 Who knows what the future holds for InterPlay Atlanta at the Clarkston Community Market? Who will we play withus next month in October? Stay tuned!

For now, it would be awesome to get bicycle helmets for these boys who just got their bikes. Helmets and money can be brought to the Clarkston Community Center at 3701 College Avenue, Clarkston, Gerogia, 30021. Write checks to Clarkston Community Center. Please make a note that it is for "Communicycle." On your envelopes, please address it to:

Clarkston Community Center 

Attn: Justin Okello/Communicycle 

3701 College Avenue Clarkston, GA 30021