Drawchange Receives Sizable Donation to Empower Homeless Children through A

ATLANTA - April 27, 2014 - PRLog -- Local charity, drawchange, is pleased to announce that it has received a $10,600 grant from the Ware Foundation—a Florida-based organization dedicated to promoting social responsibility and improving the quality of children’s lives. Drawchange plans to use this remarkable gift to administer a year-long program that will provide empowering art projects for vulnerable children at My Sister's House Homeless Shelter in Atlanta. The program, which serves more than 60 children monthly while their parents attend adult education classes or tend to household matters, is also being supported through a generous donation of art supplies from Portland’s Dreaming Zebra Foundation.

Drawchange’s program comprises a number of innovative projects to inspire children, including the creation of dream journals, which encourages homeless children to dream big, and the opportunity to make friendship bracelets, providing them with the empowering gift of giving. The program also includes a project for children to create a positive words collage, describing their hopes and aspirations for the future, as well as the opportunity for participants to partner with others to make collaborative drawings—highlighting the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

Jennie Lobato, founder and CEO of drawchange, is grateful for the Ware Foundation’s substantial contribution to and appreciation of this unique program. In reflecting on what she has witnessed since the program’s inception, Lobato stated, “I have seen countless transformations made by bringing art to children’s lives. One particularly memorable change was that of a little boy who entered the program sad, reserved, and unwilling to participate. He has now opened up, made new friends, and is always eager to share with us what the program has inspired him to create.”

In addition to the transformative effects the program has had on its young participants, drawchange’s volunteers also benefit tremendously. According to one of the program’s volunteers, “It is amazing how [the children] respond to just being told that someone is proud of them. When they look at their artwork, they know they can achieve things. It is truly life changing to be a part of this organization.”

Drawchange is excited to expand their program at My Sister's House Homeless Shelter, and thanks to the Ware Foundation and their support, the drawchange team looks forward to empowering countless children in the coming year through the power of art, creativity, and imagination.

Established in 2009, drawchange is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to supply empowering art programs to impoverished children. Wherever there is a need, drawchange wants to be there!