Art with Heart Programs
Our
CHILL & SPILL program helps adolescents experiencing crisis and centers around a guided, therapeutic journal that:
- Fosters Social and Emotional Learning
- Encourages the Therapeutic Use of Art
- Supports Direct Service Providers working with high-risk youth
Chill & Spill combines creative and thoughtful activities with the best of art, cognitive behavioral and narrative therapies. It helps bridge the gap between youth in need and the availability of professional mental health workers. Art with Heart offers trainings and supportive curriculum to teach professionals how to utilize the book with youth in their care to reduce the harmful effects of stress.
OODLES OF DOODLES is a therapeutic activity book based in art therapy that offers hospitalized children:
- Therapeutic distraction during their treatments
- A meaningful way to express fears and concerns
- Stress relief and encouragement
- A much needed sense of control
MAGNIFICENT MARVELOUS ME! helps meet the emotional needs of siblings of children who have passed away, are dealing with a serious illness or disability, or other familial challenges. It was designed to:
- Decrease their sense of isolation
- Increase self-esteem and communication
- Give them a safe place to explore and work through complex feelings
- Help build resiliency and coping skills
INK ABOUT IT is a therapeutic activity book designed to:
- Help struggling teens and ‘tweens adapt and adjust to life’s ups and downs
- Lead kids toward social and emotional wellness
- Explore and express what’s going inside of them through a combination of writing and art prompts
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
In July 2011, Art with Heart launched Ink About It, a new art & activity book for youth in their 'tween years. In six months, the resource sold nearly 1400 copies and received rave reviews from organizations like Committee for Children. Joan Duffel of Committee for Children, "From helping youngsters set goals to discovering the difference between ‘assertive’ and ‘aggressive,’ this gorgeously designed, interactive book takes kids on a journey of self-discovery that will foster their emotional growth during the sensitive period of pre-adolescence."
Art with Heart is excited about and looking for support for development of two new program initiatives. The Magnificent Marvelous Me After School Program and Kit would target elementary-age children dealing with family challenges. The “kit” will teach users how to form an after-school club to help address kid’s emotional issues. It will include curricula, discussion questions, and artistic expansion activities to solidify learning. Our Trauma Response Workshops for local schools are designed to help children process trauma and grief after a crisis. They include a therapeutic activity book for each child and 3 strategically time visits by volunteers and an art therapist who lead healing art workshops based on activities in the book.