October 16, 2008, 1:20 pm

What an amazing event! We opened the doors of the Sheraton Metropolitan Ballroom and invited in the over 300 guests who had arrived at 7:30 in the morning.

Thankfully, economic challenges did not keep them away and they were rewarded with an absolutely heartfelt program that featured a video (donated by the lovely Barbara Brown and crew), an overview of the importance of self-expression from therapist Annie McCall, MA, LMHC, as well as tear-jerking testimony from Sue Rolando – the creative arts coordinator for a residential treatment center for boys – about the life-changing effect of of Art with Heart’s “Chill & Spill” program.

As speaker Annie McCall stated, “Creative expression is a powerful tool – it helps children express the inexpressible… and develop the critical skills of understanding and managing their emotions. What children gain from Art with Heart’s work is not merely enrichment or an add-on; it’s a whole curriculum that is a significant contribution to a child’s complete emotional well-being.”

We were able to bring in over $75,000 to support the mental well-being of children through Art with Heart’s programs and books. Thank you to everyone who came and supported this important cause!

October 2, 2008, 2:52 pm

Today, I received an email that I wanted to share. It’s been absolutely amazing to me how Chill & Spill can work in so many different ways with so many different groups. This email is from someone at Girl Scouts Beyond Bars:

“I wanted to let you know that we have been using the Chill & Spill journal in the prison with the moms and girls. The moms have been leading the C&S activities with their girls. The moms adore the journals. This month, three of our moms want to have a journal for themselves and for their teenaged girls…

“One of our moms is going to give the journal to her daughter to work on at home. She thinks her daughter will really benefit from completing the entries, since she loves to draw. This girl has been experiencing grief because of her mother’s incarceration and because of [another situation]. She is only 9, but her mom feels that she will be able to relate to the journal and I agree…”