The Empowered Little Artists Program

1. The Empowered Little Artists Program Project Summary: The Y.M.C.A is a nonprofit cause -driven organization that focuses on youth development, healthy living, and social development. A strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. With a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when a community comes together for the common good. Our goal is to empower the youth in our community and keep them safe, happy, and healthy both physically and emotionally. Therefore, we are seeking a grant to implement the Empowered Little Artists Program at our Y.M.C.A Staten Island, N.Y. facility. Our mission is to support the children, here in Staten Island, that were impacted by the mass devastation resulting from super storm Sandy. We will do this by providing group and individual counseling sessions for these small victims. The program will be based on a treatment model that consists of expressive art and play therapy, role playing, and other therapeutic techniques. The objective is that by the end of the program, we will see a decrease in the behaviors that have manifested due to the experienced trauma such as; aggression, depression, withdrawal, and anxiety; as well as, development of positive and healthy coping skills to manage them effectively. • The participants will engage in creative art therapy activities and will utilize the following materials: • Materials for drawing-Drawing materials help children to express and tell stories and experiences because they allow for control and detail. • Materials for painting-Painting helps children express stories and experiences, but also encourages expression of feelings through color and brushstroke. • Materials for collage- Collage is easy to control, provides structure, and stimulates the imagination. • Materials for modeling- Modeling with clay provides the opportunity to work in three dimensions and to rework and reconstruct. • Puppets: Instead of saying everything in words, the children will play with puppets to help them re-enact events through play scenarios. • Musical instruments: Through the use of musical instruments, children put words to their feelings and then add music. Performing their musical creations support healing and empowerment. Goals and Objectives: The goal of The Empowered Little Artists Program is to create a safe place for children to attend and explore the traumatic experiences they have endured due to the Hurricane Sandy storm. The Empowered Little Artists Program will provide an avenue that allows them to express their feelings in a fun, creative way through the use of art and expressive therapy. The main objectives include: 1.Establish a sense of safety: This includes helping children establish both an internal sense of safety and identification and support for safety within their homes, neighborhoods, and communities. 2.Encourage the self-expression of thoughts and feelings with the use of art and creative materials. 3.Help children process and work through traumatic experiences with the aid of the materials and activities utilized in the counseling sessions. 4.Promote a sense of independence and feelings of control 5.Encourage the development of healthy strategies to cope with the trauma they have experienced. We have identified the great need here in our Staten Island community amongst our children who were affected by the Hurricane Sandy storm. Hurricane Sandy brought devastation down on all of New York City's boroughs, but the scale of the damage has had tremendous impact particularly in Staten Island, N.Y. Reports revealed 43 fatalities due to Sandy have been reported in New York City. In New York, the loss of life on Staten Island has been especially high. The borough, which has fewer than 500,000 inhabitants, according to the 2010 Census, has so far accounted for at least 19 of the super storm's deaths, according to the Staten Island Advance. By: Lauren Rodriguez