Art Heals Arizona staff is continuously educating themselves in ways to transform trauma to resilience. Through attending conferences, reading books and articles, and viewing various programming on the subject, Art Heals Arizona staff looks to find innovative techniques to help children increase skills and strengthen relationships, through resilience-building art programs and caring adult volunteer mentors....

By Michael Jung, Volunteer Mentor You want to volunteer for an organization. You’ve heard all about the benefits of volunteering. How it boosts your self-esteem and improves your health. How you can make friends and network. How you can learn new skills that will help you personally and professionally. But how do you decide which volunteer organization...

By Gabriella, Alumni Mentor My name is Gabriella, but my Art Heals Arizona family calls me Gabs. Art Heals Arizona is a nonprofit organization that builds hope and heals children’s trauma through artistic expression. I know this because I was a participant. I’ve been involved with Art Heals Arizona since 2012, when I was twelve...

By: Jessica Flowers, Art Heals Arizona Program Director In 2007, I was hired to coordinate the Weekly Mentor Program at Art Heals Arizona.  As a part of my training, I led my own weekly mentor group and visited countless mentors to observe their programs and offer feedback. I ran this program for six years, wrote...

Set expectations: Many children (and people in general) have “creativity scars” and need to practice silencing the part of their brains that want to be “perfect” in their art making.  Creating expectations upfront that include things like “be brave”, “encourage others” and, Art Heals Arizona’ favorite, “there are no mistakes in art” help children feel safe...

By Kim Valentine, Art Heals Arizona intern and volunteer mentor This past March, Art Heals Arizona kicked off its annual Camp Series with a new addition to our programming: The Art of Leadership Camp. This camp was designed for the teens to learn about what it takes to be a strong leader and how to...

Except for one, it was the first time that the girls had visited a museum.  As they toured the Teotihuacan: City of Water, City of Fire exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum they were reminded of their own heritage.  The teen girls participating in this Professional Artist Series, a collaboration between Art Heals Arizona for Abused Children...

Keynote speaker, psychiatrist, and renowned researcher of trauma-informed care, Dr. Bruce Perry, addressed the audience at the 5th Annual ACES Summit on December 11, in Scottsdale Arizona.  While referring to ACES (adverse childhood experiences), Dr. Perry noted that early trauma in children can cause mental issues like anxiety and depression and physical issues such as high...

It is a story of perseverance and how… Every child matters. Every story matters. Art is vital to telling the story. As a registered art therapist and licensed professionals counselor, I see a lot of people and hear their stories every day. It is impossible to tell by looking at someone the depth of despair in...

On Saturday, June 30th, Art Heals Arizona held the culminating performance of our 18th annual Theater Camp at the Herberger Center in downtown Phoenix.  The Theater Camp, themed “Road to Resilience,” brought together 30 teens from foster care group homes, shelters, and treatment centers and immersed them in the art of theater.  In the first week...