A Day of Color, Connection, and Community: Our Tie-Dye Service Project Recap

There’s something powerful that happens when children get to be leaders through service. It’s not about a lesson they’re told—it’s something they feel. They see the impact of their presence, they hear the gratitude in someone else’s voice, and they begin to understand how their energy can shift a room.

This week, we witnessed just that during our Tie-Dye Service Project at Double Creek Assisted Living.

It was one of those days where the smiles came easy, the laughter lingered, and the color (literally) burst into every corner of the courtyard. Seniors beamed as they watched children move from table to table, helping them pick dyes, swirling rubber bands, and chatting about favorite colors.

And while we didn’t have our special guest author Kristin McKenzie Rice with us this time—due to her being out of town—her spirit was still present. Kristin is the author of Give a Kid a Box, a beautiful children’s book inspired by her own family and a celebration of imagination, color, and language. We’re looking forward to welcoming her and her children (who inspired the story and will be with her) at a future event.

Even without the book reading, the day began in true M.I.A. fashion—with connection. With intention. And with the reminder that leadership begins with how we treat others.

Serving with Heart

The residents at Double Creek are part of a memory care community, and many live with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Watching the kids move through that space—gently assisting, listening attentively, offering smiles and conversation—was the kind of quiet leadership that doesn’t need a stage.

These are the moments we build for. Because no worksheet can teach what patience in real time looks like. No lecture can replicate the feeling of serving with presence.

The kids weren’t just tie-dyeing shirts—they were creating joy for someone else. And in doing that, they were also discovering something important about themselves.

To Our Families—Thank You

To every family who showed up: thank you for your energy, your care, and your commitment to this kind of experience.

To the families who couldn’t attend due to illness: you were still part of the rhythm. Other kids stepped up to create your shirts for you, and they’ll be sent your way soon.

To those who registered late or received the wrong size: don’t worry. We’ve got you covered and will be reaching out directly to get your child a proper shirt.

And yes—we saw it. The ice cream was a hit (even if it wasn’t dairy-free this time!). Sometimes the joy is worth the exception.

What’s Next: The Co-Op and The Circle

If you loved what your child experienced this week, just know that was only a glimpse of what we do inside the Mindset Integration Academy Co-Op.

Our co-op is a two-day-a-week program rooted in food, culture, service, and life skills. Kids don’t just learn—they apply. They move from kitchen to community, from cultural studies to confidence-building. We intentionally shape our rhythm to reflect the real-world leadership our children are growing into.

Registration is now open for the Fall 2025 season, and we’d love to invite your family into the next layer of this work.

We also welcome you to join our private service group, The Impact Circle. This is a special space for families who want to stay plugged into our ongoing service projects. If you’d like to be added, simply create a login on our website (if you haven’t already), and we’ll make sure you’re placed in the right space.

A Note on Grace

We’re currently onboarding new co-op families and launching a new cohort of moms inside our From Scratch program, so if you’re waiting to be sorted or followed up with—thank you for your patience. We’re getting everyone aligned with the right resources, shirts, access, and updates as quickly and thoughtfully as possible.

This isn’t just a program. It’s a movement. And we’re grateful for every family walking this journey with us.

Until next time—With so much love,

Chef Santoria Quick