Coloring books for Red Door Shelter

WHO AM I
My name is MJ and I am an artist living in the city of Toronto. I started a sketching group called the Toronto Urban Sketchers  where we go around the city sketching together. I've noticed over the past 2 years of running the group that it's a great way for people to relax and be more happy and creative. It's always a pleasure to see the smiles in their faces after a sketching session.

This gave me the idea of creating my first self-published coloring book called Color Your Stress Away Geometrical Patterns ,  to encourage  people to add more color to their life with the simple act of coloring. And it's great to see the comments of people who took to coloring and get the benefits from it. 

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT 
This past month I had the pleasure of meeting a girl named Erin who works at a  emergency women
shelter in Ottawa. She told me about what they do, how they help women and families in dire situations get back on their feet. They provide basic needs and counseling to help them deal with their stressful situations. I asked her if coloring books would be something that these women would benefit from and she confirmed my thought that being able to sit back and be creative amongst other women would help them take a break from their anxiety and worries, which in the long run would help them open up and potentially see better opportunities for themselves. So that night I told her I would send her a couple coloring books for the women in that shelter.

As I was ordering  a couple books to be shipped before the holidays, an idea came to me to extend this offer to anyone looking to do something good for a stranger this holiday season. So I decided to I created a crowdfunding page for people interested in joining me in donating coloring books and pencils to the Red Door Family Shelter,  here in Toronto. They  provide supportive emergency housing to women and families in need of refuge from domestic violence, poverty and homelessness. I've reached out to them to see if that's something they would be interested in and they said yes! They will be able to take them right after the holidays rush.


WHAT AM I RAISING THE MONEY FOR
I'm raising the money for people living at the  Red Door Family Shelter. I chose that shelter because they help women and families in need and because they are in Toronto where I currently live. 




HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED
For every $20 donation I'll be able to offer an extra gift pack that includes a coloring book,  set of coloring pencils or markers and a card with a positive message.

With the $500 donation I'm hoping to go from 10 gift sets (personally donated by me) to 30 gift sets. That way more people who can use from a bit more color in their lives will be able to start the new year on a positive note. 



HOW SOON DO I NEED THE FUNDS
The deadline is December 31, 2015. This  will give me enough time to get everything ready for first pick up heading to the shelters in January. 


WHY THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME
I'm a natural optimist and a firm believer of our ability to make the world a better place by starting in our own backyard. This is a way for me to get out of my comfort zone and do something a little bigger then usual by being the change I want to see in this world, starting with what I know best : art uplifts people.
 

HOW THANKFUL WILL I BE 
EXTREMELY THANFUL !!!! 


If you're looking to do something good for the holiday season, this is your chance!

P.S. If you're in the Toronto area and you would rather donate a set of coloring pencils, markers or another other  coloring book (new) send me a message so that we can arrange something :)