ArtWorks, The Naomi Cohain Foundation
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February 17, 2010
My daughter was embarking on a project for her Bat Mitzvah and found ArtWorks through a local internet search. It didn't take us long to realize how lucky we were! My daughter is creative and artistic and wanted to use these skills to help others in need. Working with ArtWorks was the perfect fit. Everyone at the foundation was so friendly, welcoming and eager to speak with us and put together a mutually satisfying program. My daughter immediately began volunteering at their Express Yourself Events. How wonderful of a venue for the kids to shine as they express themselves on the stage and have their artwork displayed in a gallery setting. So on with the project. My daughter decided to support the SurpriseSupplies! program and raise $5000 to be able to donate an art card to a deserving NJ hospital. One year ago she began selling gift bags of originally designed greeting cards and she is on track to meet her goal within a 1 year time period! ArtWorks has been so supportive in the project every step of the way. They are always open to ideas, accessible and are a pleasure to work with. We hightly recommend becoming involved with this foundation!
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
always caring, supportive, enthusiastic people that are always a pleasure to work with.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 17, 2010
I have volunteered at Artworks events for the last couple of years. The work they do for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and the families of those children is so inspiring! You can actually see the joy on the faces of these children and families, who are able to express themselves in ways they may otherwise not be able to. It gives them brief moments where they can feel free and enjoy life like kids who are not going through their experiences. The artwork in different mediums, including fine art, singing, playing instruments, dance, etc. gives the young people and their families a forum to show their talents. It is such an awesome opportunity to value their work and make them feel good. As a volunteer, I always leave the events with a "high," because the events make you feel so good, when there is so much potential for depression and hopelessness. Artworks is truly an amazing organization and the work they do with this population is fantastic. I feel privileged to be able to be involved with them.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the joy they bring to children and families by allowing them to express themselves in "out of the box" forums.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
February 17, 2010
Artworks is amazing. Daniela and Kristen love what they do and it shows. Through the use of art therapy, kids with life threatening illnesses are able to express their hurts and wishes, forgetting about the pain they are in even if just for a little while. Artworks also provides "ArtCarts" for hospitals to help out with art supplies for the kids. Daniela and Kristen are constantly looking for ways to improve their services to the hospitals and kids they help.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
branch out to other cities throughout the country!!!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 17, 2010
My experience is that Artworks really works to bring sick children to a different sphere. I have witnessed how the children that participate feel "well" and like a star. That the "art" they chose to participate in takes them away from being "sick" and being the "sick child". The "art carts"enables the children in the hospital to have all of the necessary supplies to create art! and brings such a smile to themin light of being in the hospital.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help children throughout the United States and not be lomited to only a few hospitals. Then Art would make a monumental statement to the world. ; crossing all barriers.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
February 11, 2010
ArtWorks was founded by my cousin in honor of my sister. The organization has grown to be a critical part of the lives of young children who suffer from diseases and their friends and siblings. We see many repeat participants at our events and we know how important ArtWorks is to them and how much they look forward to our events. I am extremely proud of the growth that ArtWorks has made and the direction it is headed in.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing the kids smile and be so proud of their artwork and performances. They look forward to the event and spend time preparing for it and they wear their participant stickers like a badge of honor.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help a lot more children. Right now it's focused on the NY/NJ area, but with a bigger budget we can expand to more cities and hospitals.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
February 10, 2010
ArtWorks provides such a valuable experience for children and their families who are living with cancer. The program helps children focus on healing and wellness. It builds self esteem and offers support during the most difficult time in a families life. Positive, energizing and life affirming are words that describe the work of ArtWorks!
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Outstanding, caring, joyful and commited to service.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
February 9, 2010
ArtWorks give children and teens living with a medical illness opportunites to experience the pleasure of being true artists. Through their art form these children/teens can be understood and recognized. The Express Yourself Show gives them a day of fame, a day to celebrate themselves and to join with other youngsters who have experienced similar challenges. Our patients look forward to this event and staff eagerly await the yearly show to see patients in their glory. This glory is afforded to all our patients no matter what their artistic or musical skill level. All creative endeavors are given the same dignity. It is an event that becomes implanted in all our memories. The art work (and/or poems)are returnded to the patients in beautiful frames, which helps them see the importance and validity of their creation. The performers receive applause that can't compare to any Broadway show. We are indebted to what ArtWorks affords these patients through the power of the arts. Additonally they just provided us with 2 fantastically designed art carts to provide more opportunities for creative endeavor while in the hospital or stuck in a room connected to an IV pole. The arts give these patients the ability to escape these 4 walls with their imagination, to express feelings related to illness/treatment, or to use the arts in whatever manner they chose. We thank ArtWorks for always bringing these things to our patients.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It is always growing. It has a vision and values creativity. I witness the impact of ArtWorks on pediatric patients and nothing quite matches it. ArtWorks never lets anyone down. They are consistent, dependable, and provide meaning.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 8, 2010
The Phoebe H. Stein Child Life Program at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore(CHAM) in the Bronx, NY began it's relationship with Artworks over 6 years ago. We have consistently participated in their annual Metro NY Artworks, Express Yourself! show which showcases the artwork, musical talents and poetry of our patients. This experience allows the patients opportunities for creative expression which are then recognized with such value in this venue. The patients and their families always feel so proud and honored at this show! Our relationship grew as we benefitted from the Intensive C.A.I.R. program which sent 2 artists in residence for a series of workshops on our adolescent unit. The teens learned how to express their hosptial experience through urban music and art including bucket drumming, beat boxing, graffiti art and more! Lastly, we have been the recipient of a mobile art cart full of supplies through the Surprise! Supplies! program. This beautifully decorated cart is housed in one of our teen lounges and regularly re-stocked with a variety of arts and crafts material which we are able to select. It offers us a bountiful amount of supplies and is mobile so we may also use it at the bedside of a patient who can't come out to the lounge. The Artworks Foundation offers many fabulous programs and is so easy to work with on many collaborations. I am happy to endorse them as one of our favorite aspects of programming here at CHAM! Meghan D. Kelly The Children's Hospital at Montefiore Director of Child Life
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the staff are so helpful and organized. Daniela Mendelsohn is very attentive to the needs of our program and her staff works efficiently to be sure all of our needs are being met.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
impact so many more lives of hospitalized children everywhere!!!!!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 8, 2010
As the Art Therapist at The Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital in NYC, I collaborate with a lot of diverse nonprofits specializing in art. ArtWorks is without a doubt my favorite group to work with due to their commitment to their mission of facilitating kids dealing with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, as well as their often forgotten about siblings, in utilizing creativity as a vehicle for healing, communication, self-expression and personal development. I've been working with this organization for 3 years, and find them to be the most ethical, authentic, and helpful organization when it comes to creativity and children dealing with medical illnesses. They are always available to answer questions, provide me with information, or make special exceptions to ensure the happiness of a child. For the 2008 Express Yourself show, many of the pediatric patients and siblings who entered artwork into the show communicated to me that they really wanted the hospital staff to be at the ArtWorks show. After discussing publicity ideas with ArtWorks, they sent me a large number of full-color posters to display throughout our hospital, specifically inviting our hospital employees and showcasing our patients' and siblings' artwork on the poster. Another examples of their commitment to their mission is how every single year, a few patients or siblings submit entries for the show after the deadline, and after ArtWorks has already come to pick up all the entries. Without hesitation, ArtWorks always makes exceptions and comes to pick up the additional entries within a day or two. Unfortunately a few of our patients who've participated in ArtWorks have passed away before the actual opening reception, and ArtWorks has always gone above and beyond to honor those children by posting a last-minute plaque by the child's artwork, and being proactive in how to reach out to the family in a sensitive and caring manner. If only every organization was run with the same degree of integrity, dedication, and heart!
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of our patients and families. They provide the patients and families with something so wonderful and positive in the midst of the challenges and dispair of chronic, life-threatening illnesses.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand their services by having additional Artists in Residence at various hospitals as well as outpatient clinics.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their ability to transform a child's self esteem through their work!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
unbelievably dedicated, honest, passionate, and incredibly helpful!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
seriously change the effects of pediatric illnesses on both patients and family members!
Ways to make it better...
Nothing could make my experience with this organization better!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
money constraints
One thing I'd also say is that...
they are truly amazing and everything a nonprofit should be!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 8, 2010
My experience with ArtWorks has been wonderful. The organization is a great chance for kids to express their feelings and emotionals through Art and Music. Being a part of the ArtWorks family has been important to me. I love seeing the kids showcase their artwork or perform their favorite songs. It brings a smile to their faces which is a delight to see. I remember my first time volunteering and seeing Zach play his drum set. He had so much energy and you can tell he loved being up on stage. At that moment, I am sure he was thinking "I am such a rock star" and not thinking about his illness. It was at that moment, I realized that I had to be a permanent fixture with ArtWorks. Kudos to Daniela and Kristen.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting the children. It is always great to see their faces when you remember them from previous events. They love that.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
warm and friendly and fun to be around
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help more kids but give them the same feeling of satisfaction
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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