No one would dispute that child abuse is a big problem. According to childhelp.org, a report of child abuse is made every ten seconds, and almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. The site lists even more statistics that are both alarming and tragic. Is there a way to lift the spirits of these kids? The answer is yes.
Free Arts for Abused Children was started in 1977 in Malibu, CA by an artist that believed in the power of art to help heal the emotional scars left by child abuse. With the motto “Art Heals” the organization as inspired “spin off” charities in Arizona, New York, and Minnesota.
Free Arts Arizona began in 1993, and works with kids over 5,500 kids aged 3-21 in Maricopa County, AZ. In addition to their regular work with these kids, and with the help of corporate and individual donors and volunteers, Free Arts AZ sponsors an annual Multicultural art camp and holds various community awareness fund raising drives.
But how does art heal? The British Columbia School of Art Therapy found several answers to that question, among them safe expression of feelings, increased self esteem, increased insight, and a greater ability to build trust with an adult.
Free Arts Minnesota was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. They work with several local social services organizations, including Bridges Program-- a school for children with emotional behavioral disorders, Sojourner Project- a domestic abuse shelter, Oakwood Residencies- a program to help women regain custody of their children, People Serving People- a homeless shelter – and many more.
Through their Weekly Mentorship Program, Strengthening Families Through the Arts, Free Arts Days, Special Events and Yes (Youth Educates Society) to Art Free Arts Minnesota has helped thousands on children and their families.
Free Arts NYC began in 1998 and since that time they have grown their budget from $100,000 to over $2 million and are using that budget to help over 2400 children and their families each year. They do this by focusing on four initiatives, Free Arts Days, Parents and Children Together (PACT), Weekly Mentor Program, and Cultural Enrichment.
Children are recruited from social services and other agencies in order to be involved with the Free Arts program, and work with staff and volunteers at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:3. Volunteers undergo a full screening process and the Free Arts services are provided at no cost to participants thanks to various generous organizations and individuals. Free Arts NYC currently works with over 20 collaborating agencies, and keeps a waiting list of more organization wanting to work with them to help children.
Of course, there are many more states, and more children that could benefit from a Free Arts program. For information on how to start a chapter in your area contact Michelle Silverman at michelle@freearts.org.
www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics
Gretchen Lee Bourquin - After writing mostly fiction and poetry most of my life, my scope began to expand in 2005 to Commentary and Blog type pieces. Before I ...
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