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Art Therapy in the Dominican Republic!

Hello friends & family!

As you may know, over the past year and a half I have been attending the Creative Arts Therapy graduate program at Pratt Institute. Well, I am already in my final semester and it has been a fascinating and inspiring journey. Last year I worked with at-risk teenagers in NYC public schools and this year I am interning at a city hospital where I use expressive arts to treat adults in inpatient psychiatric and substance abuse detoxification units.

As I near graduation and prepare to embark on a new career, I am excited to share with you about an upcoming volunteer project I have been invited to take part in -- a Creative Arts Therapy service learning trip to the Dominican Republic during my (probably last-ever) spring break!

From March 16th-23rd, 2014 I will be traveling to La Romana, DR with a group of other graduate Creative Arts Therapy students to provide Art Therapy services to children and their families living in extreme poverty. The goal of our trip will be to introduce Art Therapy as a form of healing, growth, self-reflection and play in the lives of children and their parents through volunteering at a local non-profit organization, FUCPE (Fundacion Crecimiento Comunitario Proyectando Esperanza). Not only will this project augment my work experience in the field of art therapy -- this trip will provide me with ample opportunities to learn about other cultures and to further explore my identity as an artist and therapist.

Previous students who participated in this trip over the last 2 years have attested that it is a life changing experience, and the trip to FUCPE last year served as inspiration for the documentary project Art Therapy: The Movie, which is slated to come out later this spring. Please feel free to check out the trailer for this film so that you may get a more vivid idea of the community and the work I will be doing in the DR, by viewing the video below or by clicking this link: http://vimeo.com/67692352



"¨As I begin my preparations for this special opportunity, it is my hope to appeal to you, my friends and family, in order to help offset the cost of my participation. The cost comes to $1,300 for the week long trip (including airfare, room, and board). I will also be bringing a second suitcase full of art supplies, personal hygiene products, and clothing to donate to the people I will be working with. To fill that second suitcase I am trying to raise another $200, making my total goal $1,500.

I would sincerely appreciate your well wishes, support, and if possible, financial help as I prepare for my trip. I will be setting out on March 16th, and it would be most helpful to receive any financial contributions by the first week of March. Thanks in advance for considering this"”I look forward to sharing my experiences with you when I return!

With gratitude,

Karen Codd
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Donations 

  • Cory Noel
    • $25 
    • 10 yrs
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Organizer

Karen Codd
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY

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