A Letter From The Executive Director

Dear Friends of We Care Arts,

Friday, the room buzzed with excitement. Laughter echoed as guests admired stunning collaborative artwork, raised their paddles high in support, and joined together to celebrate creativity and community. It was definitely a night to remember!

Our Black & White Art Gala and Auction brought nearly 300 people together—almost double last year’s attendance—for an evening filled with inspiration and generosity. It was also the debut of our Together We Care collaborative art initiative, a true testament to the power of community and the healing nature of art. Watching the connections between these artists grow over the last 6 months and then seeing them and their final pieces at the event was truly something that I will never forget.

There were SO MANY highlights at the Gala. From Angela’s violin playing and her sign language interpretation performance of, A Million Dreams, to the conversations I had that evening with both new and longtime supporters who all came together to help bring our mission to life, I found myself so inspired by our We Care Arts community. With that said, one of the most moving moments of the night was the announcement of the Board Directed Creative Edge Endowed Scholarship, our first-ever. Donated by Arlon Zable in honor of her husband, Ronald Royce Geibert. This $1,500 annual scholarship will support the cost of providing art classes for a full year for one artist-client, helping to ensure that We Care Arts’ financial barriers never stand in the way of providing opportunities of creative growth and support for those we serve.

For many of our artists, We Care Arts is more than a studio—it’s a lifeline. One artist recently shared, “This place has given me confidence I never knew I had. I feel like I belong here.” Thanks to this new scholarship, and the incredible generosity of our supporters, more artists will have the opportunity to find belonging, healing, and self-expression through art.

Be Our Advocate

The individuals we serve—those living with developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, and mental health diagnoses—deserve a future where they can thrive, not one filled with uncertainty. Regardless of political beliefs, we can all agree that access to essential services and opportunities for independence should not be at risk.

For many in our community, Medicaid funding is a crucial support system, making it possible to receive the care, resources, and programs that foster stability, creativity, and growth. Reductions in funding wouldn’t just affect organizations like We Care Arts—they would deeply disrupt the lives of the people who rely on these services every day.

Sharing our mission with your networks helps to amplify our message as well as shines a light on the creativity of those we serve who are too often relegated to the background. I encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and let them know that continued support for Medicaid and other essential programs is critical. And if you want to make a direct impact today, consider setting up a recurring donation—every contribution helps ensure that the artists we serve continue to have access to the support and community they deserve.

Thank you for being part of our mission. Your generosity, your advocacy, and your belief in the power of art to make a lasting impact on those we serve and our Greater Miami Valley. Here’s to another year of art, community, and transformation.

See you at our Races!!

Katie Neubert

Executive Director, We Care Arts