$1,500 grant helps buy art supplies for kids in trauma

A $1,500 grant from the Festival of Arts Foundation helped purchase art supplies for needy children in Laguna Beach.

The foundation partnered with the Newport Beach-based nonprofit Art4Kids Inc. to provide supplies for children served by organizations such as the Laguna Food Pantry and the Laguna Beach Community Clinic.

Pam Schader founded Art4Kids 15 years ago to help children cope with trauma, illness, family turmoil and other circumstances via artistic expression.

Art expression gives a child a voice and provides insight for therapists and caregivers, according to a news release, which added that research has shown art therapy to be one of the most effective treatments for trauma.

“Children’s drawings are fascinating,” Schader said in the release. “Their images communicate their perspective of their world and provide a peek into the child’s experience.”

Art4Kids has helped 50,000 ill, hospitalized, abused, orphaned and homeless children since its inception in 2001. For more information, visit art4kidsinc.org.