I had the opportunity to witness the impact drawchange has on the lives of kids in the community. I was first exposed to drawchange almost a year ago. At that time I was volunteering as a tutor/mentor for the homeless youth in Atlanta through another non - profit. Drawchange would visit the transitional home on the same days I volunteered. I remember seeing and thinking how well these individuals were with kids. I even noticed how the art sessions would allow the kids to tap into their creativity, foster a positive outlook on themselves and their future, and also boost their moods. Fast forward, months later I received the opportunity to intern with this organization! Working at drawchange with founder/CEO, Jennie Lobato, and her administrative assistant, Megan Wartell, has been a great experience. They have taught me a lot about passion, hard work, patience, and many skills that will allow me to further succeed in life. Jennie cares immensely about empowering the impoverished youth and alleviating homelessness. Her passion and professionalism rub off on anyone who has the opportunity to work beside her on this journey. All of these factors are what fuel drawchange and what makes it a great non-profit! :)
Drawchange is such an awesome organization. You can clearly see the passion for its mission in the founder, Jeannie, as well as the volunteers and other staff members involved. The children love it so much as well! Being a volunteer myself, I’ve witnessed first hand the joy they experience. I love the breathing exercises and imagination sessions we do. Having them learn these tools is so healthy and good! The leaders do a great job encouraging the children to have fun and create and then relate the activity back to life experiences. Cannot say enough great things about Drawchange!
This organization has such a powerful mission and reaches some of our most vulnerable children. Giving them therapeutic opportunities to create, express and dream can be done with just a few supplies and a lot of love! Volunteers are provided with powerful lesson plans and don't need to have artistic talents. Instead the program just needs committed volunteers who want to help children see a brighter future and set them up for success despite the challenges they face at too young an age.
I have been volunteering for Drawchange for several months now and I am glad I did! I was looking to do volunteering where I could really make a difference, work with nice people and work with children. I got all of that with Drawchange. I plan to continue volunteering for the organization and I am looking forward to see it grow. My favorite part each week is seeing the excitement in the kids’ faces when we show up.
I have been with drawchange for over four months, and I am still continually inspired and encouraged by the mission and staff of this nonprofit. Working closely with the drawchange family, it was easy for me to see their passion for children and the dedication they bring to every session. Their founder, Jennie Lobato's commitment is evident in the smiles this program brings to every child they serve.
I have been working as the Nonprofit Management Intern at drawchange for the past three months and it has been absolutely incredible! I love working with the staff and volunteers, and of course the children. Each week at the shelter I really see how the drawchange programing positively impacts the children and makes a difference in their lives. I love the organization so much that I hope to continue volunteering after my internship ends!
Drawchange is filled with wonderful people all around! Their mission is truly inspiring and I'm so glad that I was given the opportunity to work with them. Volunteering at the Orlando Shelter was super fun and easy to find. The children are adorable and you can really see how their artwork encourages them and brings them joy. I really recommend volunteering, even just once, if you're trying to find a way to help out the community and like working with children.
I have been with drawchange for several months and want to share how great this organization is! The volunteers are all dedicated, compassionate people led by the organization's founder each week. Amazing connections are made while working with the children at the homeless shelters through expressive artwork and one on one communication. Everyone has a really good time - big smiles all around!
Cindy V. Is an amazing volunteer. I have had the opportunity to volunteer at draw change with this woman who has been dedicating her time for 6 or more years. I am so grateful I am able to get involved in drawchange and witness and feel what art therapy can do for children that are living at the homeless coalition. I look forward to draw change every week. I get to be a familiar face for girls and boys in a place where they do not have a lot of security. The founder of this organization has created something beautiful that we need all over the world .
jennielobato 04/10/2019
Thank you, Joanna. We are are so grateful you have chosen drawchange as an organization to give of your time to in Orlando!
Drawchange is a wonderful organization run by a dedicated team of volunteers and staff. Jennie is incredibly passionate about the work that she does and you can clearly see how much love and hard work she puts into ensuring that the work drawchange does is successful. Their work makes a difference in improving the lives of children by inspiring them to dream and express themselves through art-therapy based programs. As an intern I thoroughly enjoy working for this organization and highly recommend volunteering with them!
I recently started as an intern with drawchange, and although I haven't been here long, I can already tell you what an amazing impact drawchange has had on the children that participate in the program! The activities each week are all well thought out and tailored to the children and what they are going through in their daily lives. Activities also allow the children to think of the big picture and what their hopes and dreams for their future can be. Being an intern I also see how dedicated the whole team of drawchange is in making sure that the children are getting the best experience possible. It is an amazing organization and I wish them every bit of success!
I have had the absolute pleasure of working for this incredible organization for over a year and a half and it has been such a wonderful experience! The founder/CEO is brilliant and has such compassionate heart. Having the opportunity to work with her day in and day out, I have been privileged to see the heartbeat and passion that lies at the very core of the organization that she started almost single-handedly over a decade ago. The work drawchange is doing with impoverished youth is empowering and life-changing - for ALL involved. This organization WILL make a difference in the Atlanta community and around the world through the use of art & creativity. It has been the greatest joy to witness and be a small part of :)
Drawchange is an outstanding nonprofit organization! I am currently an intern from Orlando, FL. This is a great opportunity for me as a college student because I am able to work alongside the CEO/founder Jennie Lobato. Her drive, vision, and passion is inspiring as she makes a difference in the lives of thousands of children. By having access to art supplies, the drawchange program is able to empower children to visualize a better future. Without a doubt, this organization has a strong impact: empowering our future generation. There are so many opportunities to grow, learn, and teach. I highly recommended working or volunteering here, it is a life-changing experience! Drawchange is more than an organization, it is a family, one I am very proud to be apart of.
Drawchange is an amazing non-profit organization to be a part of! I am currently an intern at drawchange, and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Working with the founder/CEO, Jennie Lobato, has been a great honor because her vision to change the world is an inspiration. Having a role in what happens behind the scenes of the planning and management of the organization and how all the hard work positively affects impoverished children is a rewarding feeling. Without a doubt, drawchange has sparked a change in many children's lives. Drawchange's impact is a special one, and it is an amazing organization to volunteer and intern at, as well as to donate to.
jennielobato 07/17/2018
We are so glad you're a part of the organization, Camelia! Thank you for bringing your heart and soul to everything you do.
Being an intern for drawchange has been a very rewarding experience! I have been given the opportunity to work with the CEO/founder, Jennie Lobato, on a weekly basis and develop many skills that I can apply to my future career goals. I have a huge passion for working with children, so volunteering at the homeless shelter's each week has been the best part of this experience. I love being able to provide art supplies and therapy techniques to children who don't have access to them regularly. I love being able to empower children that they can have a bright, positive, happy futures. Giving back to my community feels amazing!
jennielobato 07/17/2018
You have been so helpful to the organization, thank you for the kind words and all you do!
Volunteering at drawchange became the thing I was missing in my life, being able to make a difference in someone else's life, and pursue change for the needs in my community. I've been able to practice my writing skills as well as have fun helping the children with their art projects and I've met so many wonderful people in the process. I've gained a totally renewed sense of purpose .
jennielobato 07/17/2018
It is so touching to know that your time with us is so rewarding. Thank you for sharing your time and heart with the organization AND the children!
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I couldn't wait to go back to the homeless shelter after my first time. Seeing the change that one art therapy session can bring in a child who really needs to have just one good day was more than heartwarming. It was inspiring. Volunteering at the homeless shelters and in the office is always fun and have given me so much confidence in my writing abilities and research skills. I've been working on infographics and blog posts, preparing art supplies, framing children's artwork, writing thank-you letters, removing paperclips from tangles of yarn :) the list goes on. There is always something to do and always something new to learn at drawchange. Anyone who wants to help homeless children in our community, or anyone who wants to use their creativity to help others would love to volunteer at drawchange. Always a breath of fresh air to volunteer with drawchange!
I have been volunteering here for the past 7 months and the thing that keeps on bringing me back is knowing the work I put in is uplifting children experiencing homelessness. Putting a smile on a child's face through the power of art is a precious thing and a unique experience. Giving children the opportunity to explore their artistic talents can be life-changing and that's why this organization is important to me and the community. If you find yourself in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend you volunteer here so you can get a first-hand experience of seeing how the organization uses art to brighten up a child's life.
jennielobato 07/17/2018
Thank you, Cindy. Your time with us surely does not go unnoticed!
i have volunteered a numerous time with them and every single time, i felt special because i realised the work i was doing was helping children in need; i'm 100% sure more folk out there are looking to feel the same therefore one thing, come and join the dream.
I have been a volunteer for drawchange for almost a year it has honestly has changed my life in such a positive way. From day one I have seen a considerable difference with the children I have had the pleasure to meet. By using basic art supplies, drawchange encourages young children to express their feelings through art. The art sessions are not meant so they master a skill, but to feel free in their abilities to create art, when they're in situations where they are restricted. We come in and bring consistency, from breathing exercises before the sessions begin, to how we behave as volunteers, like giving positive reinforcement when they say 'please' and 'thank you'. By being consistent, it is something the children can look forward to, and it also gives me something to look forward to.
This is an organization that I want to be a part of for a long time. I want to see drawchange expand in many parts all over the world, which I say it already has in a couple parts and hope to visit soon!
jennielobato 07/17/2018
You have a heart of gold, Bridget! And it shines through in all that you do, THANK YOU from the bottom of the childrens' hearts!
As a 35 year veteran having served in this country and around the world I am truly amazed at the work that Drawchange is doing with the children of our world simply through Art. I have seen the brightness of each child during my assisting, manifest itself from within each child. There boldness. Self expression, and creativity come from deep within each one. They are Unknowingly taking charge of who they can be in their feature. Drawchange do and will continue to have my support both practily and monetary. And I encourage each reader of my thoughts to fellow Suite. Leaving your foot print in this playsand as well.
jennielobato 03/07/2018
Thank you so much for your review and your support. It means the world to our children!
Comments ( 1 )
jennielobato 07/19/2018 Thank you, Krystal! It's so amazing to know that our passion, dedication and professionalism shine through in everything we do!