We Care Arts OUTREACH: Bringing Healing & Hope to the Community
In February 2023, I embarked on a journey as part of the We Care Arts team. My role involves reaching out to different places in the community to bring our services out to them, and it has been a fulfilling and transformative experience.
Claudia Burnell, Outreach Coordinator
We Care Arts’ outreach program is a vital part of our mission. We bring art instructors, all the materials needed for art projects, and handle the setup and cleanup for each session. It’s a way of bringing the healing power of art to those who may not have access to it otherwise.
One aspect of my job includes being responsible for the Transition to Work Program (TTW). This program is designed for High School Special Education students and is funded entirely through grants and donations, making it completely free for schools to participate. We provide art kits with all the supplies needed for ten projects per student, and our talented teachers create engaging instructional videos that are accessible to high school teachers. The goal of TTW is building skills that will prepare students for post-high school life by teaching how to follow instructions, fine motor skills, creative problem solving, self-expression, and perseverance using art as a catalyst. Additionally, this program offers high school students a familiar program option they’re able to attend after high school.
When I began this journey with We Care Arts, our outreach programs were at the YWCA and Daybreak. Since then, we’ve expanded our regularly scheduled outreach programs to include the Beavercreek and Bellbrook Senior Centers, Goodwill Easter Seals Miracle Clubhouse, and the Kettering Infusion Center. We’ve also had the privilege of hosting events for the Dayton Autism Society and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Moreover, we’ve extended our reach by adding five more High Schools to our TTW program.
I’d like to share a heartwarming story from an event we held at the Kettering Infusion Center earlier this year. Five ladies attended the event, all of whom were cancer patients or survivors. During the session, one of the ladies mentioned that she was a nine-year survivor. The room was filled with a sense of camaraderie and inspiration as another lady, who had been relatively quiet for most of the time, looked over and said, “That is really inspiring. Thank you for sharing, it gives me hope.”
This moment encapsulates the essence of what We Care Arts is all about. It’s a testament to the profound impact of art and the connections it fosters. Without our art class, these remarkable women might never have met, and their stories may have remained untold. It was art that brought them together, and it’s these connections and the hope they inspire that fuel our mission at We Care Arts.
In conclusion, my journey with We Care Arts has been one of profound joy and inspiration. We are not merely teaching art; we are facilitating connections, sharing stories, and bringing hope to those who need it most. Art has the power to heal, to inspire, and to unite, and I’m grateful to be a part of an organization that embodies these ideals every day.