Creative Arts
Dear Editor: Thanks to a U.S. Coast Guard Spouses’ and Women’s Association grant award to Brave Heart Volunteers, a new program, Creative Arts, a therapeutic art-based support group, was launched.
Grant funds were used to purchase supplies for this monthly program for our care recipients. Creative Arts offers an opportunity for people facing illness, isolation, end-of-life or grief to socialize with their peers and engage in a creative process in a safe and supportive environment. This time also gives family caregivers respite from caring for their loved one.
Tea and coffee are provided and no-bake snacks are prepared by participants and volunteers. There is no cost to a family for this service.
Three sessions have come and gone. Members have painted pots and made felted succulent plants, created fabric prints using fruits and vegetables as stamps and collaged using recycled magazines. They have made and enjoyed caprese salad, strawberry yogurt dip and cherry berry salad with hummus. The two hours together are full of laughter, conversation, shared stories, and just plain old fashioned fun!
Erin Matthes, Patient Family
Clinical Care Manager,
Krisanne Rice, Office Manager,
Brave Heart Volunteers
