How far?

The consequences of abuse may include:

• inability to be honest or self expressive
• vulnerability to involvement in criminal and deceitful activity
• fear of any kind of touch
• depression, withdrawal and suicide
• distrust toward adults and caregivers
• substance abuse
• failure to thrive

More can be seen here at Free Arts Minnesota.

How far can the ripples reach if a child is given access to the healing powers of artistic expression? What if we can interrupt the cycle of violence, so that these children are given the opportunity to be whoever they want to be in this world? What if we can make a difference in the life of child?

Free Arts Minnesota helped 1,724 children in their Weekly Mentorship Program in 2008. There are more children to be served.

I think it is important to work at both ends from child abuse prevention to after-care.

Join us on May 22nd, for the HeARTfull Expressions event and learn more about Free Arts Minnesota.

Free Arts Minnesota: Metro Murals 2010

Murals were created by youth, families and volunteers and were inspired by the theme "Healthy Families" to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention month and to encourage familes to make healthy choices. The murals can be seen at bus stops across Minneapolis and St. Paul for the month of April.

I found this resource that helps parents deal with and understand the different stages children go through.

Weekly Mentorship Program

During Free Arts weekly mentorship program, volunteers provide one hour of creative art activities to a specific group of children at one of their 17 metro area partner sites. The program's objectives are to offer children an opportunity to develop healthy relationships with adults, increase their sense of self-worth, and help them learn new ways to communicate through participation through the arts.

Free Arts Minnesota is always in need of art supplies. To find out what supplies they are in need of go here. You can bring supplies directly to Free Arts Minnesota in Minneapolis, or you can bring them to the HeARTfull Expressions event on May 22nd.

Helping the children

I used to think of abuse as either physical or sexual, when in fact there is abuse at varying degrees and in different forms.

Abuse can be in the form of physical, sexual, torture, rejection, neglect, humiliation, malnourishment etc. Sometimes children are victims of more than one kind of abuse. For most children, the trauma is immediate, for others the destruction of childhood innocence is a slow ongoing process, but for all, abuse creates pain that can last a lifetime.
Free Arts Minnesota serves to interrupt the cycle of violence.
We may never be able to stop abuse completely, but if we can at least interrupt the cycle, then we have a chance at decreasing the prevalence.

Some of the benefits of art for children include: improvement in the ability to be attentive and engaged in school, greater self-esteem, improvement of personal motivation, improvement in the ability to be self-expressive, improvement in the ability to communicate, and an increase in positive relations with adults.

To find out how you can help kids, click here to learn about 10 things you can do!

Imagine

When I read about the children that have benefited from Free Arts programs, my heart melts. These children have been through such trauma, that no child or person should ever have to witness or experience. I read about Derek and it makes me angry on one side and yet it comforts me to know that there IS an outlet for these children. There IS a way for their wounds to heal. There IS a way for them to become adults that make good and healthy decisions. There IS a way to stop the cycle of violence.

HeARTfull Expressions benefiting Free Arts Minnesota/ Saturday May 22nd/ Chisago City Community Center/ 11am-4pm

Why art works

Have you ever wondered what makes art so magical?

How does art heal the wounds of trauma?

Click here to find out why art works.

Free Arts programs seek to interrupt the cycle of violence.

Magic words

I was reading one of the blogs that I follow and felt that this article really tied in with what Free Arts Minnesota provides for children. These children come to Free Arts, often defeated, lonely, scared and with little to no self-esteem. They lack positive relationships with adults. Their needs are often basic but unattended to.

What if we had a world where each child was surrounded by adults that believed in them? I think it would be truly amazing. Just think of a time when someone said they believed in you. Think about the confidence it gave you and the self-worth you felt. Think about what became possible just by having heard the words.

Free Arts Minnesota is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the healing powers of artistic expression into the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families. Through art they build confidence and self-esteem. In the weekly mentor programs they build positive relationships with adults.

Imagine a world where every child has an adult that believes in them!

The way that art heals...

The way that art heals, is a fascinating thing.

I remember when I quit smoking, thinking I was going to need something to keep me going. I started painting. I would paint gifts for others, I would paint for myslef and sometimes I would just paint to feel good and distract myself. That was nine years ago.

I have always used music as a way to escape into myself and seek answers. I remember as a teenager, during times of mother-daughter disagreements or having issues with my peers, I would play my music loudly and sing through my anger and sadness. It really helped. It helped to relieve the tension. It helped to get me back to reality and deal with issues. It helped me sort my troubles. It helped me become me.

I still use music as a healing tool. When I am anxious about something, I have a few "go-to" inspirational songs that I play and sing to. The songs calm my nerves and help me to get through. I also use music to get through otherwise boring tasks, like cleaning! The right song can also put my happy mood into an extremely happy mood!

I use photography as a way to express myself. Taking my camera on a walk to capture all the beauty of the world, truly has renewing powers!

Through artistic expression, I have discovered things about myself that I would have otherwise never known.

What has art/writing/music/etc/ done for you?

What would have happened if you hadn't had those avenues to express yourself?

Please email me or comment here. I look forward to hearing your stories!