9 March

The Creativity Kit: A Great Idea For Children In Need Takes Off

by Jon Katz
Creativity Kit Takes Off

Artist Rachel  Barlow’s wonderful idea to send Creativity Art Kits to refugee children and other kids who are coping with trauma has taken off. In the first day, she raised more than $1,500 to purchase materials for more than 50 children. These kits – designed by Barlow, a popular Vermont-based author and painter and illustrator are perfect for children recovering from trauma.

The refugee kids – many in foster homes because their parents are dead or left behind – are isolated. They don’t speak English, have friends here, are not on Facebook or Twitter and in recent weeks, have been kept inside for fear of harassment or deportation (they are all here legally.)

The kids are designed to foster creativity and voice and to build confidence and imagination.  They are not elaborate, they are designed to be portable and child and parent friendly. Each kit includes a set of watercolors, a sketch book, coloring pencils and a sharpener, a coloring book and a book for young artists to help with the drawing of animals.

The supplies will be presented to the children in a drawstring backpack so that they can take them anywhere. Rachel says her kits will evolve, but at the moment the goal is to get children – especially traumatized children – to create, to make creativity a part of their lives, especially when they are in emotional need. You can see what’s in the kits here.

This timely program is on fire, the initial response has been overwhelming.

I believe it will spread soon to other cities, towns and schools. The first wave of its are going to refugee children, but Rachel says she wants them to be available to foster and abused and traumatized children as well. Rachel understands trauma, she was the victim of sexual abuse as a child.

Rachel is, in fact,  a monument to the healing power of creativity.

I know her well, she has been a writing student of mine for four years, and one of the most creative people I have ever known.  I have seen her creative spark light up – she is an acclaimed landscape painter, an illustrator, an author books for young parents, and a successful blogger. You can see her wonderful work here.

You can contribute to this program using Paypal or major credit cards in any amount here.

I am grateful to be able to help support this idea, it deserves to grow and live. Creativity is one of the most empowering tools in the universe, these kids are going to the right people.

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