A Living Room Full of Teachers: The Teach‑a‑Thon

On Sunday, December 21st, from 3 to 5pm, the Fountain House living room quietly transformed into a miniature university—one with softer lighting, more comfortable chairs, and a timekeeper whose device made a noise no one could quite identify. Sponsored by City Voices, the Teach‑a‑thon invited participants to teach the group anything they wished in five minutes or less. The chairs were arranged in a circle, creating the feeling that we were all in this learning adventure together.

Katherine opened the afternoon by teaching the basics of guitar playing, offering just enough technique to make everyone feel like they might pick up an instrument again someday. James followed with reflections on spirituality, grounding the room with thoughtful calm. Kimberly shared about finding peace and love even in the most difficult circumstances, including homelessness—her presence alone a testament to resilience.

Richie offered practical wisdom on saving money, a topic that always earns a few nods of appreciation. Steve passed around his artwork, turning the circle into a gentle, rotating gallery. Diana spoke about the challenges of securing proper care and education for her autistic son, and how that journey led her to become an advocate for autistic children everywhere. Then her son, Marc Anthony, shared his own story—earning a college degree, becoming a public speaker, and serving as a role model for autistic people.

Kathryn talked about navigating family challenges and finding comfort in poetry and dance. Andrew introduced the concept of “cognitive distortions,” those unhelpful thought patterns that can hijack our peace of mind, and handed out worksheets to help us recognize and manage them.

CeCe spoke about the value of writing and the satisfaction of completing her work of fiction. Cecilia shared her experiences working in the Welcome Center, supporting members in crisis with steadiness and care. Myung demonstrated how to fold a shirt and pants using Korean origami, a reminder that creativity can take many unexpected forms. Kira taught self‑soothing techniques—tracing fingers, gentle pressure points, and calming touch—leaving the room noticeably more relaxed.

Kumarie shared the joys of raising daughters through music and the realities of being a single mother. Adriana introduced an acronym that walked us through identifying a problem, naming a need, asking for help, and reflecting afterward—a simple but powerful framework.

Finally, Nils invited someone to ask him anything they’d always wanted to know. The question was about holidays around the world. The answer began accordingly but took an unexpected historical turn involving ancient punishments for horse thieves. It was, in its own way, educational.

Throughout the afternoon, Emil kept time with his mysterious sound‑making device, and the evening/weekend team made sure everyone stayed hydrated. The result was a gathering that felt both lively and intimate—a reminder of how much wisdom lives within our community.

If you’d like to join a future Teach‑a‑thon, reach out to daniel.frey@fountainhouse.org or text 929‑884‑3564.

Wishing you a warm and peaceful holiday season.