DrawBridge: An Arts Program for Homeless Children
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DrawBridge brings a warm fuzzy feeling to people and places that need it. Art is a miraculous tool for building community, friendship, trust and hope. Children, who don't often get to, get to be creative, and more importantly, feel safe and loved.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
children who needed consistent and kind role models.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Seven years ago I began as a volunteer for DrawBridge in San Rafael. Over the years I have witnessed first-hand the impact of this unique and wonderful program on the lives of disadvantaged children. Each week they leave their cares and worries at the door and run into the room happy and ready for hugs, eager to immerse themselves in making art, discovering their own special power to create something out of nothing. For over 20 years, DrawBridge has given this gift of time and attention to thousands of children who need and deserve your support!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
witnessing first-hand its impact on the lives of disadvantaged children through creative expression.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
sharing nearly two hours a week for seven years in the presence of loving and courageous children as they create art and open their hearts and minds to a more hopeful life.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
committed, passionate and caring, with a true concern for the future of the many homeless children in the San Francisco Bay Area. DrawBridge staff and volunteers work together to make a difference, one child at a time!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reach more children in more communities within and beyond the Bay Area. Also DrawBridge could turn 'graduates' into leaders and facilitators. and sustain operations into the future, rent larger spaces, create exhibits of children's art.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I been a volunteer with Drawbridge since April. Since discovering the organization I have fell in love with it. Being able to bring a positive program to these kids lives is something very beautiful and close to my heart. Seeing the kids' smiles and creative expression means so much. It is something they look forward-and something I do too.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the way the children do their projects. They are happy to be there, and there is so much positive energy that flows through the room.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change anything. The people are great.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing the art. It is amazing to see what these children can create with provided material.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly, educational, and overall great people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help so many more kids. With that money they would be able to open more sites to reach out to other kids that are being deprived from such a good organization.
Ways to make it better...
Drawbridge had more funding. It worries me it will shut down. Having the lack of funds is scary, because these kids need it.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the locations. I live far from my site, I am switching to a closer one to home...but there isn't enough sites.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I love being a part of this program, and as long as I have time for it I will continue to volunteer.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have worked with DrawBridge for over 12 years. The children we work with are desperate for love and attention from adults this is a way for them to connect to positive role models. I have heard many children ask us to come everyday to do art with them instead of just once a week. These weekly art groups add so much to their lives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Creating a space where children can express exactly what's going on for them without rights and wrongs.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The love and dedication the staff and volunteers have for the children at their sites.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
So very kind and generous.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand it services to serve homeless and at risk youth all over California while engaging in service projects where the children can give back to their community. While gaining valuable self-esteem for their efforts.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Drawbridge is a wonderful program that provides a time and place for homeless and other kids in need to express themselves, away from the emotional,physical, and financial stresses of their lives. The volunteers and facilitators offer love, support, consistency and attention that may be lacking in their lives. For example, a 5 year old joined the group with an alarming and destructive dose of self loathing. As volunteers and facilitators have given her consistent non-judgmental support week after week, her self confidence and socialization skills have improved. Drawbridge has been a consistent positive presence in many of these children's lives for years.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the happy faces and big hugs the children offer when arriving each week.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the amazing resiliency and spirit of the children
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
kind, giving, perceptive and knowledgable
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Put a serious dent in the next generation of homelessness through the mentoring of children.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
DrawBridge makes a difference in homeless children's lives around the San Francisco bay area on a daily basis. Through its expressive arts program in homeless shelters, transitional and low-income housing and domestic violence shelters DrawBridge places trained volunteers and art group facilitators to work with some of our most vulnerable children. I've seen the smiles on childrens faces as they work in various art media provided. It's such a blessing to give them a little time to be a child once again!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Watching a child make a mess and then smile is wonderful!
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
truly wonderful people. They go into the shelters where the children live to bring them this extraordinary expressive arts program.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
serve more homeless children and go back to running groups on a weekly basis with the stable income provided by 10 mil!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
DrawBridge has been for twenty years and continues to be a GREAT program. It gives homeless and vulnerable children a safe environment and consistency in their lives. Expressing yourself through arts does not get any better. I have participated in two hour programs with children, gone to volunteer trainings and seen the big hearts of all the program people.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the eyes and hearts of the children that are involved.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
not only do they support the children in the program but DrawBridge promotes the helping of others so that the children will learn about a lifetime of giving.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
GREAT PEOPLE
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand, expand, expand to service more children. They now serve around 1,700 children per year.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Drawbridge provides a stable, safe and creative environment and trusting relationships for homeless kids. My teenage daughter has been a volunteer at Drawbridge for almost 2 years and throughout these many months I have been impressed over and over again with the way Drawbridge changes lives for the better. By focusing on children, Drawbridge is helping to improve all of our futures.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have watched my daughter grow from a high school student of the arts to a student who wants to pursue Art Therapy as a career as a result of her experience at Drawbridge.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
some of the kindest people I've ever met.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Improve the physical and emotional well being of thousands of homeless children by offering them a voice to express their feeling and experiences throught art.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I worked for Drawbridge for 4 years and now, a year after I moved away, I still miss it every day. Drawbridge is a phenomenal organization. They provide an essential service for homeless children all over the bay area. No words can describe the sense of love, achievement, growth and comfort these children feel as a result of their time in Drawbridge art groups. In addition, the staff and volunteers are all greatly appreciated, supported, and given the opportunity to connect and grow. In short, this organization about about more than just the arts, it is about community. It is about helping everyone involved feel at HOME.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
phenomenal.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the world, one child at a time.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
"Children learn through Play" I love this quote. I think there is so much pressure in society for children to grow-up. Remember when the best part of being a child was playing. DrawBridge let's children play. Specifically, they provide homeless children and other vunerable youth with a safe environment to express themselves through art. There is something magical when a child face lights up with delight in making art. About 44,000 children are homeless in the Bay Area. They live in shelters all across the Bay Area. Homelessness is a very difficult thing to deal with, imagine what a child feels. Many of them are suffering emotionally, art is a great outlet for them. As a volunteer, I noticed how the kids would change every week. There was one girl who didn't speak, just make squeaks, but after 3 weeks she was the most talkative. We also had some teenagers in the group. I remember when I was a teenager faced with so much pressure and decisions. I believe that the teenagers in our group make better decisions. I made a strong connection with one of the teenagers. She always felt comfortable talking to me about issues in school. If DrawBridge were to close its doors, it would leave these kids no place to vent their frustration or joy.
More feedback...
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help more children in shelters and poverty communities. Provide them with an endless supply of high quality materials.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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