Hello, and thank you, to anyone taking the time to read our story. There’s no easy way to say this, but: Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP) needs help from our community right now.
During the January ice storm that recently shook the Portland area, our beloved CHAP Art Studio sustained serious water and structural damage due to a sprinkler leaking from a condo above and partially collapsed ceiling. Every inch of our space has been affected.
For the last 17 years, CHAP has provided free healing art experiences to children and families facing medical challenges throughout the Portland community. While the core of our programming is onsite in local hospitals, much of what we do takes place in our Art Studio in Sellwood. The CHAP Art Studio is a colorful, whimsical, healing, safe space for children to continue their creative journey and commune with others after being discharged from the hospital. We host weekly Art Clubs, Open Studios, Inclusive Summer Art Workshops, and more in the studio. Our studio space also serves as an office for our staff and storage for our extensive inventory of art supplies for the kids.
Essentially: The CHAP Art Studio is the very foundation of our operation.
The current state of affairs is…not great, to say the least. It’s difficult to put into words the amount of damage that has occurred, and continues to unfold as we work through this as a team. What we’ve uncovered so far is heartbreaking:
- Carpeted areas, large wood furniture, and many of our art supplies have been completely soaked through - and beginning to show signs of aggressive mold growth.
- We’ve lost 2 out of 6 computers, as well as a slew of computer accessories such as keyboards, mice, cords, and more.
- CHAP in a Box orders, slated to be delivered to medically vulnerable children, have been destroyed.
- Priceless children’s artwork, some of which has been with CHAP since its inception, is destroyed. Cherished pieces are lost, some made by children who are sadly no longer with us.
- A significant amount of art supplies (~50%) have been ruined, and require immediate disposal.
We are actively working against time to inventory these losses and salvage what we can, but it is a hefty task. We are a small team of 8 people, with all hands on deck. It's scary that there are so many unknowns. We desperately want to be up and running again at full capacity, so that we can continue to serve some of Portland’s most vulnerable residents.
Despite everything, we remain resilient. We are working to establish a temporary space in the Lloyd Center, moving what we can, and hoping to invite children and volunteers back ASAP.
Funds gifted by our community will help us start out on strong footing, relocate, and replace some of the items that have been damaged.
Any amount is appreciated - and even if you aren’t in a position to give, we would greatly appreciate you sharing this campaign with your network to help spread awareness of our situation.
Thank you in advance for your help! We look forward to brighter days ahead.
Water-logged wood furniture and art supplies, after we dried the pools of water on the floor.
Most of our storage containers were filled with water, including bins on the shelves and on the floor. Porous art supplies will need to be thrown away, and the rest disinfected before use. Much has already been lost to mold.
Damaged collaborative light sculpture; just one example of many lost art pieces.
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ABOUT CHAP
Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP) is a nonprofit that brings the healing power of art to children and families facing medical and mental health challenges. CHAP teaching artists partner with hospitals, community organizations, and schools throughout the Portland area.
Teaching artists lead many hours of in-hospital art adventures per week, featuring a variety of supplies and art exploration designed to spark each child’s imagination. Our partner hospitals include OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Shriners Children’s Portland, and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
CHAP Art Studio supports our Art Club program consisting of engaging weekly art experiences for children with medical challenges outside of the hospital - allowing them to express themselves through creativity. For those who live outside the Portland area, free CHAP in a Box deliveries enable families to experience the healing power of art in the comfort of their own homes.
Since 2006, CHAP has provided 95,000+ healing art experiences throughout the Portland area.
Stay in Touch:
CHAP website
Instagram : @chappdx
Facebook : /ChildrensHealingArtProject
YouTube
LinkedIn
guidestar.org/profile/61-1499793