Because of the caring nature of what we do at Art with Heart, we often get to meet extraordinary folks who conduct their lives in ways that are harmonious with our mission in caring for kids. Last week, Judy Pigott, the co-author of “Personal Safety Nets,” came to visit us. While her mission isn’t limited to children, we found that our callings were definitely compatible and congruent.

We know that the families of the children we serve are going through challenging times, during which, it is often difficult to build a network of support. In her book, she offers practical advice on how to build resources to help in challenging times, such as dealing with, and managing life, with a seriously ill child, for example.

As Art with Heart comes to the aid of children, allowing them to express and communicate their needs, this book (and practical workbook) helps the adults in the family learn to let go of unnecessary self-reliance and ask for help during our darkest hours. www.personalsafetynets.com

This month, we were pleased to offer an original mixed-media collage for sale that 12 year old Maria created especially for a preview event that we held recently. Maria was our featured speaker at the last Color of Hope Benefit Breakfast. The event was a thank you party for table captains held at our new venue, the Olive 8 Hotel.

Maria’s artwork was snatched up right away by Board President, Linda Baker, after Maria explained the hidden meaning (see photo, top right). “Doing art helps me express my emotions, things that are deep down inside,” said the young artist. One of the guests told her that she was 12 when she sold her first painting, and now she owns her own design firm. Maria’s eyes got wide and her smile was broad all night long. She donated half of the proceeds to Art with Heart to help us help others who are dealing with difficult life situations.

Art with Heart is greatly saddened by the untimely and tragic death of Christina Taylor Green in the shootings in Tucson, Arizona recently. We are putting together a care package for Christina’s 3rd grade classmates to help them begin the healing process.

If you are inspired to make a positive gesture, consider a small gift. For every $25 donation, we can help two students. Our goal is to send every 3rd grader at Mesa Verde Elementary School a special, therapeutic workbook, based on grief-related and age-appropriate activities put together from Oodles of Doodles and Magnificent Marvelous Me.

Please make an online donation today and be sure to put “Christina’s Classmates” in the memo.

Alexia E. worked with daughters of incarcerated women in the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program. She emailed, “I wanted to let you know how wonderful of an experience it has been using the Chill & Spill journal with the mothers and daughters participating in our program.

“Quite some time ago we purchased individual journals for some of our older girls who were experiencing an enormous amount of stress in their lives. The Program Coordinator and I attended a training to enhance our utilization of the book, after which we started facilitating exercises in groups with just the daughters, the moms, and even with the mothers and daughters together.

“We have received a great deal of positive feedback. Both the mothers and daughters enjoy the artistic component of the exercises and the reflection time. They have mentioned how they like that the exercises help them to focus on important aspects of their lives and that the exercises have aided them in attaining different perspectives.

“We will continue to incorporate Chill & Spill exercises into our program delivery, and I believe that every girl would benefit from the journal. We all can use a little help from time to time understanding ourselves and our lives, especially young girls and women.”