Art & Creativity for Healing Inc. (ACFH) supports emotional healing for children, families, individuals, and military personnel using our Art4Healing® method. We assist adults and children suffering from the emotional impacts of abuse, illness, grief, fear or stress. Our individual workshops and community programs offer expression, encouragement, clarity, and insight. ACFH also partners with schools, shelters, hospitals, and other nonprofit agencies to integrate Art4Healing® programs.
With more than 35 non-profit program partners in Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles counties, we have created an effective methodology for reaching people in pain. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporate and private donors, we are able to provide programs and services for approximately 4,000 Orange County and San Diego residents each year. We serve all individuals regardless of race, creed, sex, age, or emotional stability.
About our “Raging Colors: Expressive Painting for Teens” Program
Our Art4Healing workshops introduce students to expressive art, where they create a series of abstract creations with paint. Our process gives teens a safe, creative place to reflect and share their experiences, frustrations, and struggles. Teens deal with many subjects, including exposure to drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, teen pregnancy, bullying, depression, and low self-esteem. For many of these teens, their everyday lives are often stressful. They experience many difficulties, such as legal issues, foster emancipation, and/or homelessness. Art4Healing® teaches teens that art can be a constructive part of their everyday lives. Teens can use art to communicate tough issues that have negatively affected them or derailed their emotional growth.
Testimonial from our Program “Raging Colors: Expressive Painting for Teens”
“Art & Creativity for Healing has been a wonderful gift to our students. Our students at Santiago Creek School have been going through much turmoil in their lives: divorce of their parents, parents’ incarcerated, personal trouble with the law, pregnancy and teen parenting are just a few of the issues they face. Many of these problems are out of their immediate control leaving them with feelings of anger, sadness, and hopelessness. The Raging Colors: Expressive Art for Teens program has been a tremendous tool for our students to express their feelings in a safe environment. One of our students recently moved to California from Mexico to live with his uncle. He was very frustrated living in a new home, missing his parents, and not having the specific words to express his feelings. This student has excelled in the Raging Colors: Expressive Art for Teens program. He is learning a new language (English) which he writes in his art journal provided. He draws pictures depicting his feelings and experiences. The art has boosted his confidence and he is very proud of the artwork he has done.
“Another student in the program writes, ‘When I go into Art4Healing I get really excited to start the class. After finishing the class, I feel peaceful and happy. Honestly, I love doing this class. It’s the best. One time the teacher Miss Laura made us do something that was emotional that had to do with how we feel or felt in our painting. I really loved it because I got to say how I felt in my painting. I liked this experience because it relieved my stress.’
“Another student Scarlett writes, ‘Art4Healing has helped me put my emotions to colors. My favorite project we did was the Window to My Heart. It moved me how I was really feeling inside. I am so happy to be a part of this class.’
“As a teacher for deeply troubled students, it is a joy to be able to provide a program like Raging Colors: Expressive Art for Teens to give them a safe place to express and be in touch with their feelings and have an avenue to release the pain. The students feel heard in the class. Laurie Zagon is our hero in providing this opportunity for our students. I have much gratitude to her and the teachers Miss Laura and Miss Eva.”
– Cyndie Borcoman, Teacher, Santiago Creek School, ACCESS, OCDE
Art credit: Featured paintings are the artwork of “Raging Colors: Expressive Painting for Teens” program participants.
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