Children's Healing art project (CHAP)
service project by aaron secrist
"Bringing the healing power of art to children
and families facing medical challenges."
The Children's Healing Art Project has been providing healing art experiences for families and children since 2007. They have several programs, including a bi-monthly Art Club and an amazingly huge in-hospital program. CHAP moved to its current space in SE Portland in 2015, and has been there ever since. The main art room is filled wall-to-wall with glitter, sequins, paint, and marker. Vibrant color is everywhere you look, and it perfectly exemplifies the spirit of the project.
CHAP believes in the the wonders that creativity can do for the mind and soul. They may not be able to help with some of the physical challenges that many children are facing, but making art is a fun and easy opportunity to help kids just be kids for a while. Hospitals are often drab and depressing, even ones specifically for kids. For children who spend a majority of their time in hospitals, they are constantly reminded of their affliction. CHAP simply comes to the hospital and hosts open art time that gives everyone a chance to be themselves and most importantly, to have fun. Their art clubs are open to families too, so often the grownups who are often under a lot of stress can get in on the healing action.
CHAP believes in the the wonders that creativity can do for the mind and soul. They may not be able to help with some of the physical challenges that many children are facing, but making art is a fun and easy opportunity to help kids just be kids for a while. Hospitals are often drab and depressing, even ones specifically for kids. For children who spend a majority of their time in hospitals, they are constantly reminded of their affliction. CHAP simply comes to the hospital and hosts open art time that gives everyone a chance to be themselves and most importantly, to have fun. Their art clubs are open to families too, so often the grownups who are often under a lot of stress can get in on the healing action.
CHAP is a nonprofit, so the main things they need are volunteers and donations. I'm not exactly in a position to help out financially, but I have a good pair of hands, so that's where I can be most effective. In the volunteer orientation handbook, it lists the following opportunities for volunteers: Studio, Art Club, and in-Hospital visits. Since I am a brand new volunteer, they would be putting me in the Studio where I would generally help around the studio by organizing art supplies, preparing crafts, cleaning, and helping with all sorts of projects here and there.
CHAP's mission statement is something that resonated deeply with me the moment I read it. I was impressed how committed they are to providing healing experiences to children and families experiencing hardships, and though I’ve never had a serious medical condition or accident, I’ve still felt the healing power of art. Through my adult life I have struggled with bouts of anxiety and depression, as do many people in this day and age, and one of the things I turn to is art. Creating keeps me focused, calms me down, and puts me in a state where my feelings don’t have to be internalized. That expression, that freedom to make is what makes art so powerful for me. So I suppose what drew me to this organization is the positive experiences I’ve had with art, and how it makes me want to share that healing power with others.
CHAP's mission statement is something that resonated deeply with me the moment I read it. I was impressed how committed they are to providing healing experiences to children and families experiencing hardships, and though I’ve never had a serious medical condition or accident, I’ve still felt the healing power of art. Through my adult life I have struggled with bouts of anxiety and depression, as do many people in this day and age, and one of the things I turn to is art. Creating keeps me focused, calms me down, and puts me in a state where my feelings don’t have to be internalized. That expression, that freedom to make is what makes art so powerful for me. So I suppose what drew me to this organization is the positive experiences I’ve had with art, and how it makes me want to share that healing power with others.
My plan of action was to go into CHAP Studio time with an open heart an mind in order to soak up as much as I could. The children that CHAP helps are as diverse as you can think. All income levels, races, genders, and ability levels are represented here, so I want to learn how to best meet all of their unique needs. My skills include graphic design, so I want to also help CHAP in that area if I can, as well as just lending them a pair of hands where it is needed.
To do all this, I planned to work in the CHAP studio for my first 20 hours, and then attend at least one Art Club before the end of the term. That way I would have an experience actually working with children to write and reflect on.
To do all this, I planned to work in the CHAP studio for my first 20 hours, and then attend at least one Art Club before the end of the term. That way I would have an experience actually working with children to write and reflect on.
Most of the work I did at CHAP was very hands on. On November 29th they had new shelves installed in the space, but beforehand everything needed to me moved away from the walls, boxed, and organized. That took a lot of work but I also did crafty projects. Pictured above are the "Spirit Lanterns" that CHAP kids made for their annual CHAPlandia fundraiser. Some more of my work included miscellaneous gluing, painting, and taping.
I also was able to use some of my graphic design talents to help CHAP. I designed several signs for the CHAPlandia fundraiser, as well as an event poster and website maintenance.
Reflection
My time at CHAP was uplifting, relaxing, and fulfilling. I found that the tasks I was performing seemed easy when surrounded by so many bright colors and cheerful volunteers; especially those that included fun crafty stuff. I was also glad that I was able to help them with my design skills. Unfortunately, I never got to attend a CHAP Art Club, but I was volunteering in the studio several times when groups of kids came in. The most notable thing I observed was how the children who came in were seizing the opportunity to just be children. There was a group of kids from a deaf school who came through one time, and when they yelled with excitement when they saw the colorful room I finally saw in person the effect that CHAP has. It was a great experience, and I hope to continue my volunteering there next term once I return from winter break.
I also was able to use some of my graphic design talents to help CHAP. I designed several signs for the CHAPlandia fundraiser, as well as an event poster and website maintenance.
Reflection
My time at CHAP was uplifting, relaxing, and fulfilling. I found that the tasks I was performing seemed easy when surrounded by so many bright colors and cheerful volunteers; especially those that included fun crafty stuff. I was also glad that I was able to help them with my design skills. Unfortunately, I never got to attend a CHAP Art Club, but I was volunteering in the studio several times when groups of kids came in. The most notable thing I observed was how the children who came in were seizing the opportunity to just be children. There was a group of kids from a deaf school who came through one time, and when they yelled with excitement when they saw the colorful room I finally saw in person the effect that CHAP has. It was a great experience, and I hope to continue my volunteering there next term once I return from winter break.