My Nonprofit Reviews
diana
Review for Casa De Amparo, Oceanside, CA, USA
I am the expressive arts teacher (and student) at Casa de Amparo in Oceanside California, a shelter for abused and neglected children. I add student because as much as I give to the kids at Casa, I receive back, ten fold. The kids at Casa have been through trauma and distress in their lives. They are living in a group home because those that should love and shelter them are incapable or uncaring enough to do so. These kids have not been given the care nor crucial tools they need in life to succeed, let alone excel and yet many of them are doing just that. Thanks to Casa, these kids are receiving the love, support and instruction they need to make a good life for themselves, one filled with choices for success and achievement. Just recently, a Casa child was having a very difficult day (what six year old wouldn't that has been removed from his home and family), I am told that instead of throwing a tantrum, he asked to, "paint it out". A positive response to his very negative feelings. Many well adjusted grown-ups don't respond this well. Thanks to Casa there is hope for these kids and more importantly, these kids have hope.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The children at Casa are given a safe, loving and educational environment to deal with some of the tough situations that brought them there. I have personally witnessed children becoming quite distressed, only to have it turned around by a caring staff member. On the art side, my expertise, the children are being introduced to creative ways to express their feelings and themselves in a positive, productive, socially acceptable and successful manner.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't know much about the inner workings of Casa so I don't feel qualified to answer this question for the organization. In the art end however, I suppose it would be to have more field trips to plays, concerts, museums, etc. to introduce the kids to even more and varied creative outlets for their intense lives.
