Moms Who Do
“Institute alumnae Carol Greenstein pursues twin passions, raising her three children and helping homeless youth succeed in the world.”
Carol with one of the many projects that help her students get in touch with and regulate emotions, express themselves, and learn to find their own wings.
The usual path to an institute education is pretty straightforward. Attend one of our required intro classes. Make application before September and get your admission interview not so for Carol Greenstein, who recently sent a letter about her experiences that she has allowed us to share here.
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| Carol and her classmates in their “nest” a few months before graduation. Carol definitely found her wings- Photo Wes Chester |
This education gave me confidence in myself, the skills to use the arts for expression, and the connections that I vitally needed to find a job in my new career. Through the institute internship program, I began a gentle reentry into the workplace. For the past three years, I worked at TRACE, creating a program in Expressive Arts for students 18-22 who have mental health challenges. That job has now passed on to another capable mother returning to career and institute student Joy Raab.
As for me, my internship at The Monarch School, for K-12 students impacted by homelessness felt like the perfect fusion of all my worlds. I can use my background as an art educator and combine that with the principles of expressive arts. I am happy to say, after my concluding my internship, I was hired! I have now become a working Expressive Arts Therapist, with an incredible team, all graduates of the institute, including my boss, Rachelle Archer. Work at the Monarch School is a dream come true.
My family is proud of me and I hope to inspire other people to find the work that they love at any stage of life. My classmates and the other institute alumni have become close friends and colleagues; a community that nurtures and values the arts, creativity and growth. This community offers opportunities to continue working, learning, and growing. I am forever grateful to the Institute, and I marvel at how the stars aligned for me at the right time in my life.
Love, Carol
