This episode is a solo journey into thoughts, feelings, and taking perspective on our lives that support our growth and transformation. About Free Arts: Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  About Canvas of the Heart: Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at [email protected]  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bianca Harper, director of ASU's Arizona Child and Adolescent Survivor Initiative (ACASI), whose mission is to foster the healing of intimate partner violence survivors. She walks us through the program's holistic approach to healing and the power of overcoming the stigma around these issues. Perhaps nowhere is the incredible healing power of art better personified than at the vigil ceremony hosted by ACASI and Free Arts, where families honored the memories of their loved ones through art, music, poetry, and storytelling. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants. To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts Produced by Alvaro Morello Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em No by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite Contact the podcast at [email protected] Follow us at: Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

In this episode of Canvas of the Heart, we sit down with Kris Kollasch, an artist who has been involved with Free Arts nearly since our inception 30+ years ago. She shares some of her favorite artist mentorship moments over the years, including the creation of the iconic “Trees Like Me” murals with student participants and fellow artist Linda Pullinsi. She also shares her perspective on the significance of trees in her art—and our logo—as symbols of strength, growth and grounding. Musing on the healing nature of our work, Kris shares that “Art heals. We are not therapists, but making art is therapeutic  Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at [email protected]  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

January is National Mentoring Month, and we are celebrating the work of volunteer mentors by listening to two mentors' experiences.  Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to maintain personal well-being by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their personal skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies and shelters serving families, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at [email protected]  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

Join Matt and Erina as they discuss the Free Arts Family Program, regulation, and co-regulation. Erina gives a brief overview of the history of the Family Program and how it has grown in the past three years and what a Family Empowerment Night looks like. We wanted to share this episode during the holiday season because it can often be a deregulating time for a lot of individuals. Matt and Erina share some amazing art-based examples about how to both regulate and co-regulate - perhaps you will learn some techniques you can try during the next few weeks. You can listen to it on YouTube or your favorite streaming platform!   Free Arts (www.freeartsaz.org) is an Arizona nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.   To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer    Hosted by Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts Produced by Alvaro Morello Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at [email protected] Follow us at Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

Are you ready to dig into a new season of Canvas of the Heart? Season four kicks off with Matt and Beth talking about a key concept we teach our mentors during our volunteer training, treasure hunting. They explain what it means, offer some examples of what it looks like, and give listeners tools to try it out themselves. Treasure hunting boils down to the truth that any young person has the potential to be successful. Often, all that is needed to realize that potential is recognition and encouragement from a safe individual. It is a skill anyone can use at home with their friends, family, and coworkers, too! Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  Hosted by Matt Sandoval, Executive Director of Free Arts   Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at [email protected]  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

In this episode, we discuss the social effects of stigma on those who experience adversity, trauma, and mental illness. At Free Arts, our language and approach to participants reflect a respect for the whole person and their personal growth.  About Free Arts: Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.  To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer  Hosted by Matt Sandoval and Jenna Christie-Tabron  Produced by Alvaro Morello   Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite  Contact the podcast at [email protected]  Follow us at   Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona  Facebook.com/freeartsaz  Instagram: @freeartsaz  Twitter @freeartsaz  You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

An important part of the Free Arts experience is creating choices for the children, teens, and families served by its trauma-informed programs. In this episode, listen to Jenna, Matt, and Beth discuss why "choice" assists self-expression and creates an environment of healing. Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants. To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer Hosted by Matt Sandoval and Jenna Christie-Tabron Produced by Alvaro Morello Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite Contact the podcast at [email protected] Follow us at Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants. To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer Hosted by Matt Sandoval, LMSW, M.Ed, and Jenna Christie-Tabron, MFT, MSW Produced by Alvaro Morello and Kharli Mandeville Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite Contact the podcast at [email protected] Follow us at Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Free Arts’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self. Free Arts believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Free Arts is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants. To become a Free Arts Volunteer Mentor, please visit FreeArtsAZ.org/Volunteer Hosted by Matt Sandoval, LMSW, M.Ed, and Jenna Christie-Tabron, MFT, MSW Produced by Alvaro Morello and Kharli Mandeville Music by Epidemic sound: Tell ‘em no by Flux Vortex, Free Throw by Timothy Infinite Contact the podcast at [email protected] Follow us at Youtube.com/FreeArtsofArizona Facebook.com/freeartsaz Instagram: @freeartsaz Twitter @freeartsaz You can make your donations to Free Arts at FreeArtsAz.org/Donate