October: Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends of We Care Arts,
As the vibrant colors of autumn paint our surroundings and the scent of pumpkin spice fills the air, I can’t help but marvel at the magical transformation that Fall brings to our stores and our hearts. Along with our usual artwork, our spaces are starting to look delightfully spooky as pumpkins and witches make their enchanting appearances. But Fall also signifies something special for me – it marks just over a year since I joined the We Care Arts family as your Executive Director.
This past year for me has been a journey filled with pride and gratitude for the remarkable team we’ve been building. Our shared vision of supporting and nurturing our community through art has driven us forward, and the results are evident. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our team and the incredible generosity of our supporters like you, We Care Arts has already achieved an extraordinary milestone – a 38% increase in the number of artist-clients participating in our ArtWORKS programs so far this year.
While I am thrilled to be growing and expanding our reach, our team and I have also been mindful of the importance of maintaining the relationships we’ve cultivated with our artist-clients who have been with us for years. These connections are the heart and soul of We Care Arts, and they continue to inspire us daily. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to take a moment to learn more about the inspiring work of one of our talented artists, Jen S., as she shares her journey with her In Bloom creations. As I look at her In Bloom work I see a version of the very heart of our mission focused on using art as the catalyst for community and empowering healing.
As we continue to move forward towards the end of the year, I invite you to come on out and be an in-person part of our journey that promises costumes, cookies, and gifts galore! Mark your calendars for our upcoming events. From Trunk or Treat, an inspiring November reflecting back on 40 years and an amazing opportunity on Giving Tuesday to our Cookie Walk and Santa’s Tot Shop volunteer bakers and Pre-order opportunities, the next few months are sure to be full of fun. So, keep your eyes peeled for more information on these events and how you can get involved. (Click and read more below!!)
Last but not least, I want to take a moment to thank you for being a part of the We Care Arts family and for your unwavering support as we look forward to another year of growth, creativity, and compassion. Together, 40 years on, thanks to your ongoing generosity, we are continuing to build on the amazing vision of Terry Schalnat, as we make a difference in the lives of our artist-clients, their teams, and the Greater Miami Valley!
With gratitude and warm wishes,
Katie
Katie Neubert
Executive Director
PS. As you know many hands make light work, and we sure could use yours! Nope this is not a gruesome Halloween call for severed hands, but instead a fun way to say that we are actively recruiting for our 2024 Event Committees NOW! If you or someone you know would be willing to volunteer to help build our event committees, please reach out to Micah Karr at Events@WeCareArts.org.