Happy 2019!

The New Year is the perfect occasion to appreciate all the good things that the past year has given and to anticipate all the good that is yet to come. In the past 365 days we experienced beautiful moments that wouldn’t have been quite the same without all of the special people who have touched our organization in some way, both great and small. 2018 was a huge year of change for everyone at We Care Arts. From staff additions, new teachers and clients to construction, organizational changes, new processes, and everything in between, we learned a lot in our 35th year. We went through two long renovations, coming out with two beautifully remodeled spaces at both of our Berkeley Center and Town & Country shops. We turned what used to be an entire side of the building for gift shopping into expanded studio space, allowing us to increase and welcome new clients as a part of the We Care Arts family. We have already observed our clients growing and changing as they work on new creative projects every day, enjoying the new space.

In 2018, we made many new friends and felt great support from existing friends who attended our events and passionately donated their time and talents. Our Run, Stroll & Roll 5k doubled in attendees. We saw an increase in vendors and generous tattoo artists donating their time to our mission at our 5th annual Arts & Drafts festival where we enjoyed live music from some of the top local bands in the Dayton area. We launched this brand new website, where we are privileged to share the magic of our program and our artists with anyone in the world. Throughout the Summer and Fall months, we strived to educate the public about the work we do, our achievements,  the successes and pride of our artists and the pieces they create and sell in our shops. We Care Arts shared our mission with the community at several festivals and fairs such as Miami Valley Music Festival, Art in the City, and ArtFEST. We even enjoyed our first booth appearance at the Dayton Art Institute Oktoberfest. We had a 35th anniversary style show where we reminisced about our beginnings in 1983, and how We Care Arts has changed and grown as an organization throughout the years. Kettering – Moraine – Oakwood Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting to share and celebrate, with the community, our new studio expansion and continued support of our mission by the many generous community members who made it all possible. We started a We Care Arts club within Optimist International, providing one more way for our clients to be empowered to apply and develop their skills and talents.

Most importantly, we expanded and continued our dedication to our mission. We changed the lives of over 1,700 individuals at our main location, the Berkeley Center, plus many more at the over 40 off site locations throughout the community. We celebrated We Care Arts programs and how they have impacted the Dayton area for 35 years, increasing confidence and artistic skills in individuals with varying disabilities, developmental, physical and mental health challenges.

We have done a lot of changing and so have our clients.  Change is not always easy, but it helps us to adapt and grow. We are excited to see where we go as an organization in 2019. We are grateful for the patience, generosity, and love demonstrated by everyone in our community, from our donors, community partners, event sponsors, to our volunteers and staff, but more importantly our clients and families. We want to thank everyone for growing and changing with us. Each day in the studio, or at one of our outreach program locations, is a new chance to change and inspire new possibilities in the lives of those we serve. We are changing individual lives every day and look forward to what we accomplish in 2019 and beyond. Thank you to everyone who has grown with us. It means more than you know.