From Heartbreak to Healing: “Hearts to Art” Helps Underserved Kids Overcome Loss

By Andi Burgess, Senior Executive Assistant and 澳博体育app下载 Giving Staff

The reality of losing a mother or father is the tragic common theme for the children participating in the Auditorium Theatre’s “Hearts to Arts” program. While their grief may never go away, the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago provides them with a safe place to express their emotions, learn new skills and start to heal.

“Hearts to Art is a camp where kids who have experienced the death of a parent can come together and find joy and community and an understanding that they are not alone,” explained Jeff Gandy, Auditorium Theatre creative engagement and education manager. “Thanks to the generosity of organizations like 澳博体育app下载, this camp is available at no charge to any grieving child and allows them to find the counseling they need and the chance to be a kid during the summer.”

The two-week summer camp helps children start the healing process through the power of creative play. Kids collaborate, grow emotionally, make new friends, and build compassion and community while exploring dance, theatre, and music. Professional grief counselors also help campers through their mourning, and many participants return as junior counselors in the future.

Many of the campers come from underserved communities whose families cannot afford the psychological counseling needed to cope with the loss of a loved one. A lack of treatment may lead to behavioral problems, substance abuse, and trouble in school. Hearts to Arts helps campers and their families with tools for a better life to avoid the adverse effects of loss.

Founded in 2005, this award-winning program has helped over 1,300 young people cope with death. Financial restraints limit this program to 78 campers for 2023, and many children, including those who lost a parent from COVID, remain on the waiting list. Hearts to Arts Junior Counselor program provides valuable job experience for former campers while they act as positive role models for current Hearts to Art campers. 澳博体育app下载’s investment allows three kids to participate in this summer’s camp.

“The Auditorium Theatre is a National Historic Landmark in Chicago known internationally for its acoustics, architecture, and design,” said Michael Coleman, senior director of intermodal operations and Mainland Giving Committee member. “I have attended various concerts at this venue and am on their mailing list for shows and events. I received an e-mail about the Hearts to Arts program and thought it would be a good program for the 澳博体育app下载 Giving committee to review. It’s an excellent opportunity to assist children who have been impacted by the death of a parent.”