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I have been teaching creative self-expression through the arts since 1992 and founded the Tree of Life Centre for Creativity in 2006 to increase awareness of the power of the expressive arts, a role both educational and healing in nature. Through the years financial support for the Tree of Life Centre for Creativity has come from local organizations such as Rotary Clubs, Autism Ontario and H.A.N.D.S. the Family Help Network among others and from individual donors.
I have offered ongoing classes and workshops that I developed to support youth with autism, fetal alcohol syndrome and their families.
It is time to expand.
The Centre was built around my personal journey to wellness and my vision to provide specific support services for these exceptional children. They often have outstanding innate artistic and musical ability as well as an affinity for animals and nature. This journey of discovery is one of documented success in enriching the lives of these individuals and their families.
This support service is currently available in Huntsville, Ontario in the District of Muskoka as well as online.
According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, 1 in 50 Canadian children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( 2% of the population between ages 1 - 17), with males diagnosed 4 times more frequently than females and this rate is increasing rapidly . For those children that have been diagnosed there are long waiting lists for existing services.
See Footnotes 1,2 & 3 re scientific studies that show the therapeutic benefits of art for persons on the autism spectrum.
Everyone receives many benefits on multiple levels from art education, whether or not they are on the autism spectrum. However, for children and youth on the spectrum, art and music can be vital for their growth and development. Helping individuals with autism to express themselves is key to unlocking communication and learning. Painting and playing different forms of music engage all of their senses. Effective teaching must be creative, and any subject can be taught using art as a tool, including math and the sciences. Individuals anywhere on the autism spectrum learn best when learning is visual and by making learning fun. This can be accomplished through one on one sessions or in small classes of 4 youth combining drawing, painting, clay modelling, drumming, singing, and storytelling.
These sessions are held in person in a safe environment encouraging self-expression. These sessions can be held online as well as online as necessary.
The immediate goal of fundraising is to offer support for 2 youth with autism whom I have been working with long term. Testimonials available on request. Due to high need by youth on the autism spectrum, I seek to add at least 2 more students pending funding from this outreach.
The longer term goal of the fundraising is to compensate a small 2-3 person staff in providing assistance in administration, community outreach, class set up and monitoring. Thus allowing me to expand these critical services to this growing demographic.
Individual and class sessions are held in a calming, interactive natural environment in and around my home in Muskoka, Ontario.
YOU CAN HELP.
Options to contribution include $20 minimum monthly or a single donation which may be directed toward either if preferred.
Individual goal is $1,250 per student for 6 months or 10 sessions.
Longer term goal for classroom support is $8000.
I appreciate your support in helping to provide the resources that will enable this creative project to include as many participants as possible.
Many sincere thanks,
Caroline Butson, Artist
Founder, Tree of Life Centre for Creativity
Bachelor of Arts, McGill University
Teacher Training, Satok School of the Arts
Reiki Master
BodyIntuitive Practitioner
Certified BodyTalk Practitioner
Indigenous Cultural Competency Training
For more information please visit
Footnotes: Scientific studies
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