FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How did Art with Heart begin? Art with Heart is a charitable 501c3 nonprofit organization that was founded by graphic designer, Steffanie Lorig in 1996 as the community outreach branch of the Seattle Chapter of the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts). Art with Heart was under AIGA for 7 years and then spun off to become its own nonprofit in 2002.

What is your mission? Our mission is to empower youth in crisis through therapeutic books and programs that foster self-expression. We provide non-traditional critical mental health support to youth who are facing trauma, illness, familial dysfunction or homelessness. Our books, trainings and workshops provide youth with an emotionally intelligent way to successfully deal with intense emotions.

How can I help? The most efficient and effective way to help immediately is to make an online monetary donation right now. This is the most effective form of assistance because it allows us to utilize the money to meet the most critical need. Visit the how you can help page for details and other options.

What’s Chill & Spill all about? Chill & Spill is a guided journal that was designed especially for youth dealing with stress, anxiety or trauma, because of illness, familial dysfunction, grief and loss, peer pressure, natural disaster, etc. The 20 activities found are based in cognitive behavioral, narrative and art therapies and is used in both schools and hospitals.

What’s Oodles all about? Oodles of Doodles, is a therapeutic activity book for hospitalized children designed to provide them with a meaningful way to express their concerns in a healthy and developmentally appropriate way. Over 500 hospitals internationally utilize Oodles as part of their care for chronically and seriously ill children.

What’s so beneficial about doing art? Therapists believe that the creative act can be an important step in healing emotional wounds and can help open up lines of communication. Creativity is ideal for drawing out youth who have difficulty articulating feelings. Many feelings can present themselves in just one picture, which in normal talk therapy, might have taken months to surface. The benefits of making art are enjoyed by all, not just those suffering from emotional or physcial stress. Creative expression can improve the mental health and social functioning of all participants. See more information about this subject under supportive research.

Who else thinks your work is valuable? Our books have won community and international awards and are also endorsed by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Society for the Arts in HealthCare as well as the Starlight-Starbright Foundation.

• 2005 Sappi Ideas that Matter National Award, Chill & Spill
• 2004 Blair Sadler International Healing Arts Award, Oodles of Doodles
• 2002 Sappi Ideas That Matter National Award, Oodles of Doodles
• 2003 Gold, Seattle Show, Oodles of Doodles