b'DISCOVERING A POT OF GOLDHOW RAINBOW DAYS IS TRANSFORMING LIVESBy Katy Cornwall | ContributorThestoryofaneight-year-oldboynamedChristopherisain group became more consistent; what he learned in group perfect example of the transformation a child can experiencewas getting through to him, and his behavior in and outside of through Rainbow Days and the support of caring mentors. group was clearly changing.This past year, Christopher, whose family lives in a local motel,Laterintheschoolyear,Christopherwasintroducedto began attending Rainbow Days weekly after-school programsomeoneextraspecialthroughRainbowDays:Mr.Tony. at his school. At the first few groups, Christophers RainbowTony had been in Rainbow Days programs as a child and had Days facilitators often noticed he would attend one week butrecently reconnected with Rainbow Days through his work as be absent the next, even though his own siblings were presenta mentor and music educator for the Artist Outreach. Because every single week. When they asked where Christopher was,ofhisconnectiontothekids,Tonybeganvisitingdifferent the answer would usually be that he had gotten in trouble atRainbow Days sites to teach and incorporate music into group. school and was not allowed to come to Rainbow Days.When Tony came to group at Christophers school, something At the time, Christopher constantly struggled managing hisin Christopher changed; he began to express himself, rapping attitude and emotions and often ended up in fights at school.alongwiththemusicTonyandthegrouphadcreated. However, when he did come to Rainbow Days, his facilitatorsChristophers talent and passion for music were clear, and his made sure to express their belief in him and discuss healthybond with Tony became strong, especially as Tony visited group ways he could express himself rather than getting into fightsa few more times. and talking back. As the weeks went on, Christophers presenceIn May, Tony and Christopher were invited to do a special 44GoodLifeFamilyMag.comMARCH 2020'