by Jessi Maurice
Development Manager at AWBW Partner, A Greater Hope
“A single piece of artwork, created by a client, illustrates the impact of a program in that client’s life much more profoundly than my words ever could.”
~Amanda Bell, Chief Development Officer
Over and over we’ve witnessed the profound impact creative expression can have on those navigating trauma, grief, and emotional hardship here at A Greater Hope (AGH). Serving over 3,000 children and families each year across our multiple programs, AGH has helped clients connected to foster care, behavioral/mental health, adoption and prevention services find their voice through art workshops. And what we’ve seen is that art is more than a form of therapy—it’s a voice, a mirror, and often, a turning point in a client’s healing journey
In our trauma-informed art workshops, utilizing the A Window Between Worlds curriculum and training, clients of all ages are given the tools to process and express difficult emotions—often for the first time. These art pieces are not just colorful creations. They are tangible representations of pain, growth and most importantly, hope. One AGH participant shared in her post-workshop survey, “I feel a lot calmer. I would love to do this again. I was hesitant with the idea at first, but it was something that I needed at this time.”
One of the most compelling examples is the AWBW “Monster in Me” workshop. In this exercise, children are invited to express what their anger looks like, sounds like, and feels like—giving form to their inner “monster.” The resulting art is raw and honest: vivid purple figures with wild hair and red eyes, drawn with the intensity of emotion only a child can convey. As AWBW trained facilitators at AGH guide them through questions like “What happens when you get mad?” and “What words do you say?” children begin to identify their emotional triggers and learn coping strategies to manage them in healthy, constructive ways.
These workshops are made possible through braided funding sources—a combination of state contracts, private foundation grants, and county contracts from the Departments of Child and Family Services and Behavioral Health. One recent AWBW workshop, River Stories, invited participants to reflect on the flow of their life’s journey, the joys, the hardships, and everything in between. “Great workshop! I can use these tools when I feel stressed, angry or overwhelmed,” shared an adult participant. While creating their river-themed artwork, clients also received valuable education on water conservation. This is a strong example of how our art workshops address clients’ emotional and psychological needs by fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience through creative expression. Simultaneously, River Stories fulfilled a grant deliverable by incorporating an educational component on water conservation, creatively blending therapeutic artmaking with public outreach. This dual-purpose approach reflects the intentional design of our programs to both support client healing and meet the goals outlined by our funders.
The Hall of Healing at A Greater Hope serves as a gallery of these personal triumphs, a place where visitors can see, without words, the resilience of the human spirit. It’s no surprise that this space becomes the highlight of every donor site visit. Rather than simply explaining the work we do, we show it through the eyes of our clients, in the form of their art.
The impact of AWBW art workshops is quantified in statistics and reports at A Greater Hope. We do this through pre and post tests and client satisfaction surveys. Grant funders want measurable goals, activities to get to those goals, and outcomes that result from those activities. All of these metrics are gathered after our AWBW workshops, aggregated and reported back to funders. To give an example, in 2024 100% of survey respondents said they felt their full self was welcomed in the workshops, including their culture and gender. Similarly, 88.9% of respondents reported feeling an increase in education and understanding following the workshops.
However, art reaches beyond statistics and reports; it evokes empathy, connection, and understanding. It tells stories that inspire generosity and compassion, while honoring the dignity and confidentiality of every individual we serve. It is in these moments, standing before a child’s depiction of their inner monster or a caregiver’s reflection of loss and renewal, that our mission truly comes to life.
Just as art transforms trauma, storytelling through art transforms fundraising. Because there is no more authentic or powerful story than one told through the hands of a person who has lived it.
by Jessi Maurice
Development Manager at AWBW Partner, A Greater Hope
Start Your River Story – Download the Worksheet
River Stories Workshop Worksheet
Want to bring healing art programming to your workplace or community?
A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) supports hundreds of direct service organizations across the country to incorporate creative expression into their work with trauma survivors. With this blog we uplift the voices of our art workshop facilitators and participants. We invite you to take in this perspective, notice what resonates and explore how it may fit into your life.