My Nonprofit Reviews
Susan
Review for Art & Creativity for Healing Inc, Laguna Hills, CA, USA
Having volunteered for Art for Healing for the past few years, I am continually amazed and encouraged by what I see in the workshops offered throughout the community. These workshops guide participants through structured exercises using various colors of paint on canvas. By allowing each participant to process their feelings through the use of color, often times enables them to express themselves in a way where earlier they may have had no words for.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I see not need for making any changes in Art for Healing! This nonprofit stays true to its mission: offering free workshops to children and adults suffering the emotional and physical aspects of abuse, grief, stress & illness.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
Review for Art & Creativity for Healing Inc, Laguna Hills, CA, USA
I was first introduced to Art & Creativity through a friend who was actively involved. I attended a "volunteer" orientation and was hooked from the start. Although I do not have an art background, I do have a very strong desire to involve myself with groups that have a positive impact on others. Art Creativity does just that!
We offer free fine art classes and workshops for children, teens & adults suffering from the emotional & social aspects of abuse, illness, grief & stress in their lives. This is accomplished over time by helping them process their feelings using a unique method of abstract painting with color. Volunteers are trained to assist the facilitator teaching these workshops and gain a special understanding of those undergoing such trials in their lives while at the same time witnessing their encouragement and motivation gained through these workshops.
Just an example of what we offer weekly: we offer workshops at CHOC Hospital (Visiting Art Angel Bedside program) Human Options (Battered Women's Shelter) Two schools at Camp Pendleton Marine Base (children dealing with the stress of parent's deployment & injured soldiers coping with brain injury, loss of limbs or other special needs).
After numerous volunteer hours I was invited to join the Board and have been actively serving for the past two years.
Since these workshops are free, we rely on generous donations from the community and foundations. We offer numerous volunteer opportunities, a Women's Guild, annual fundraisers (my personal favorite :) ) and much more!
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
By working side by side with the facilitators, I have witnessed the changing power these workshops have. Over the course of one month volunteering weekly at Human Options, I observed a woman new to the program, barely able to speak without breaking down in tears-unable to share what was on her heart. Over the next few weeks I saw this same woman sharing what she painted, able to articulate her feelings about her situation & develop goals & a plan for her new life beyond Human Options.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
.....double the size of the Guild ....more volunteers to share in the fun!
