ARTreach helps victims of crime to become survivors

How can art programs help?

Art can help a victim of crime or other catastrophe deal with the crisis, manage the stress, let go of the pain, and look forward to a positive future.

There are a number of social service agencies that offer support services that help families and children who are victims of crimes including domestic abuse and sexual assault. Victims of crime, hurricanes, floods or fire – a great resource in the Katy and Fort Bend County area is Katy Christian Ministries Crisis Center www.ktcm.org

ARTreach supports the KCM counseling and support services through a creative art program offered to children on a weekly basis. This program is designed ignite a passion for the arts in young people and inspire hope for a positive future

In addition to the on site counseling, ARTreach utilizes positive role models, peer mentors and professional artists to bring creativity, positive energy and a spark that will help the children and the families manage their crisis situation.

Learning to express your ideas in an appropriate manner and being able to communicate effectively is part of the healing process. Art becomes a tool for constructing, and reconstructing. Participating in art can stimulate a child’s own creative notions - the process is inspiring and empowering! Being able to creatively envision a positive future after surviving a crime or a catastrophe is the key to moving forward.

ARTreach also supports survivors of Hurricane Katrina and Rita though a variety of support services available in the Houston area.

ARTreach provides creative art experiences and alternative recreational activities that include expressive arts, hip hop dance, creative writing, poetry, Spokenword, clay building and art construction as a means to empower and enable the participant to envision and create a more positive future. This is an inspirational program that works to shift the participant from a victim stance into a survivor mode of thinking – to help deal with the pain and loss, and move forward into a positive future.