PVCC Puma Press: April 2006

	........................

	Photo courtesy of Free Arts
	The majority of children participating in Free Arts of Arizona come from underprivileged broken or abusive families. This program teaches them the value of art and positive reinforcement.
	........................

He watched as the child scribbled on a clean, white sheet of paper. Her head, bent close to the table, rose up only when she wanted to change crayons. “Whatcha drawing?” The stranger asked as he looked closer.

“God,” she answered.

“Wow,” he said, “I’ve never seen God. I don’t know what he looks like.”

Never missing a stroke, she answered, “You will in a minute.”

An old joke, true enough. The point is, give children a means of expressing themselves, and their imagination knows no boundaries. Let them know you believe in them, and they’ll begin to believe in themselves. That’s where “Free Arts of Arizona” comes in.

Free Arts is a volunteer organization that takes abused, abandoned and homeless children and families and helps them grow, transforming their lives through the power of artistic expression.

Many of these children, ages infant to 18, have never heard a word of encouragement or praise until they participated in activities at Free Arts. When children first enter the Free Arts program, many of the younger ones are often afraid to let go of their mother’s leg; they hide their heads when you try to talk to them. They are withdrawn and hurt; many have no social skills.

The healing power of art is the foundation of Free Arts of Arizona. This nonprofit organization has provided therapeutic arts programs to over 43,000 at-risk children since 1993. The majority of children have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services and placed in residential treatment centers, group homes and shelters. Children living in domestic violence and homeless shelters also participate in Free Arts.

For one such young person, music had always been a part of her life. Valerie (not her real name) was 17 when she began the Free Arts 20-Week Mentor Program. Valerie and her baby were living in a shelter for troubled teens. She had been physically and emotionally abused by her mother and had recently run away from home.

Valerie worked two jobs while caring for her infant son and still managed to participate in the Free Arts program. When she sang for her peer group as they created art, her mentor recognized that Valerie had an incredible gift—a beautiful singing voice.

Free Arts appointed her a volunteer voice coach. Soon, Valerie sang for several small groups and performed solo at a fundraising event for over 700 people. She sang “Climb Every Mountain,” a fitting tribute to her life of overcoming struggles and never giving up hope.

Valerie is now 18 years old and living in her own apartment. She has graduated from high school and is attending college while holding a part-time job. She is planning on joining a church choir and continues to bring music and joy into the lives of those she touches. “I know who I am now, and I know I am going in the right direction,” she says.

Free Arts 20-Week Mentor Program takes at-risk children and their parents and provides a nonjudgmental environment in which the attendees express their feelings through various art mediums. Often, this is the first time that both parent and child or children have time to play together in a non-violent atmosphere.

Volunteers do not criticize the children’s efforts; they do offer encouragement. They support appropriate social interaction, assist in developing a renewed sense of self worth and build trust. All this helps to create an environment in which children become comfortable expressing emotions.

The art media used in Free Arts covers a wide spectrum: two-dimensional art in crayon and paints; three-dimensional art such as clay figures, collages, mobiles and stick constructions. Art forms continue with creative writing, poetry, dance and theater.

As children go through the various programs at Free Arts, they learn, often for the first time, that life isn’t all hate, hit and holler. They learn to laugh, to trust and to believe in themselves. They learn what it’s like to help someone else.

Free Arts of Arizona depends on volunteers. Men and women, as well as young people, are needed to mentor youth in various creative arts programs. Volunteers do not need to be artists. Their role is to help create a nonjudgmental environment where children feel safe to express their anger, fear, hopes and dreams.

For more information about Free Arts of Arizona, please phone (602) 258-8100 or visit their Web site: www.freeartsaz.org.