Bay Area Children, Challenged by Homelessness Get a Brush of Hope

April 10, 2009 - PRLog -- A benefit Artshow, Silent Auction and Raffle benefiting the Arts Program for homeless children  from several Bay Area counties through DrawBridge.org will be held on April 17, 2009, Friday evening from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Hillside Community Center 1422 Navellier Street in El Cerrito, CA. ($10 Suggested donation)

Artists from all around the Bay Area and across the nation have been invited to donate works of art for the cause. "We have chosen DrawBridge.org to be the recipient of our efforts because of the wonderful works they've done with children in the Bay Area." says Jojo Soriano, Community Services Commissioner for the City of Hercules, and one of the organizers of the event. "We're urging community folks, City Council members of the West Contra Costa County region, businesses AND artists to come to the event, donate works of art, services, products for drawing, or simply attend and view works of art, have fun, food and wine!" added Soriano. "Most importantly, we’re hoping that people will connect with DrawBridge.org, the organization that utilizes art to transform the challenges that these homeless children face - and help them along the way!" added Soriano.

According to Drawbridge.org, "The average age of a homeless person in America is nine. An estimated 44,000 children in 66,000 Bay Area families were homeless in 2005. Homeless children commonly experience loss, anger, depression, hopelessness, and isolation. These emotions have an overwhelmingly negative impact on children. Ideally, increased support would be provided during this time, but the reality is that there are few outlets for the emotional needs of children in shelters. Shelters focus on the survival needs of parents. Parents are unable to provide the extra support needed by their children because their own emotional resources are depleted in a time of crisis.

The children, sensing the parents' stress, often subjugate their own needs. At school, homeless children often begin a cycle of poor performance that has severe long-term effects.

Through art, children can release the build-up of potentially destructive emotions. The nonjudgmental and loving support of the DrawBridge staff enables the children to rebuild a sense of control and self-worth. Trained facilitators use art to transform self-hate into self-respect, violence into compassion, and powerlessness into active participation.

The children put into images feelings they are unable to speak. Slowly, their stories emerge and their voices are heard. The art facilitator is then able to begin a much needed process of communication between the child and their parents, shelter staff, the schools, and the larger community. DrawBridge reaches hundreds of children in shelters each year."

For more information about DrawBridge, please visit their web site at DrawBridge.org.

The organizers, art4art Team is still accepting works of art for auction and products or services for raffle; please e-mail art4art@comcast.net to donate or for more information!

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