How creative expression can change the lives of people affected by PTSD

June is National PTSD Awareness Month

June is the month for us to raise awareness for PTSD and the potential treatment as well as honor the large population of individuals with or affected by PTSD.  In 2010 Congress named June 27th as PTSD Awareness Day.  Then in 2014 the Senate designated the full month of June as National PTSD Awareness Month. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more likely to develop after a person experiences a traumatic event.  After this type of event, most people may develop painful memories for months and even years after the event.  For some people the effects of the event fade but for others the thoughts, memories and feelings never go away even with time.  

Sadly, Mental Health experts are not sure why some people develop PTSD while others don't.  If stressors don't improve over time and they disrupt their everyday life, it is important to seek help to determine if PTSD is present.

One of the many factors that has a positive impact on the life of an individual effected by PTSD is the arts.

Science has demonstrated that creative expression can alter not only personal mood but also lower blood pressure, and help with sleep and the immune response system. These creative expressions include photography, writing, painting, sculpting and many other activities.

 We Care Arts is a wonderful place for individuals with PTSD, along with all types of disabilities, to be empowered to express themselves through creative arts.   

WCA welcomes one of our amazing artists.

We Care Arts is proud to introduce Christopher Suggs, one of our many talented artists. Christopher was born in Dayton, grew up in Trotwood, and attended Trotwood High School. There, he won awards in the art club and enjoyed mentoring younger students. After graduating, he attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati and Sinclair Community College. While at Sinclair in 2006, he had a mental health issue and was briefly hospitalized. Since then, he has worked hard to become independent. Christopher likes to paint landscapes and cityscapes. He also does graphic arts and photography. He likes to work out, doing calisthenics and weight lifting, and running. He mentors youth at his church, to help them stay focused and keep them on the right track. He wants to return to school and complete his art degrees. Early in 2013, he began coming to We Care Arts. He finds coming here encouraging and it really uplifts his spirits. He finds that everyone is understanding about disabilities and he likes being around the positive people at We Care Arts. 

Check out some of Christopher's creative paintings....

We Care Arts at Town and Country Center

We are thrilled to announce that the recently opened kiosk at Town and Country Shopping Center has been successful. It was opened in October of 2015.  This shop is conveniently located across from Trader Joe's where you can easily spot all of the creative crafts designed by our client artists. The large variety of crafts include ceramics, jewelry, purses, scarves and many more hand designed items.

Store hours are:

Monday - Friday 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sunday 12:00 pm - 5 pm

Each month one of our talented artists has a table 

that features their amazing work for purchase.

This is a great way to connect with new people and learn all the positive ways art benefits different people.



We also want send a BIG THANK YOU out to Bockrath Flooring for their generous donation to provide us with a new floor in the store.

We truly appreciate all your assistance in making 

We Care Arts an even better place.

Your contributions not only support We Care Arts 
but also everyone that we serve throughout the community.

We Care Arts First Annual 5K Run, Stroll, and Roll

Enjoy the first annual 5k Arts and Drafts: RUN, STROLL and ROLL!

This will be an exciting and fun filled opportunity to connect with others 
and test your stamina for a good cause.  
All proceeds benefit We Care Arts.

Check-in at 6:30 am, Run, Stroll and Roll begins at 8:00 am!

Registration and parking:

  on the Kettering Recreation Complex side, 2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering, Ohio. 

Click this link to register: http://5KArtsandDrafts.itsyourrace.com/.

Registration:

$35 includes t-shirt if registered by Tuesday July 26, 2016

$40 registered July 27 until run day (shirt cannot be guaranteed)

BY MAIL: We Care Arts, 3035 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429

Cost is nonrefundable. Course is completely accessible and the event is open to everyone at all levels of physical ability.

Awards

• Top male and female overall receive a hand painted mug!

• Each participant will receive a handcrafted ceramic medal created by the talented clients at We Care Arts and a free beverage coupon for We Care Arts ARTS and DRAFTS celebration that evening.

  

   

For additional information, contact Chris Corba at ccorba@wecarearts.org or at 937.212.3777.

"An Evening at the Races" was a huge success!!

This year's event was full of firsts! A record 175 people attended We Care Arts "An Evening at the Races" event on May 13. This fundraiser at the Presidential Banquet Center was more successful than ever before. Also, there was more betting at this year's fundraiser than  in previous years.

This was also the first year for our two new, generous sponsors, Hollywood Gaming and ZHCx Consulting Firm, in addition to the Cole Foundation, to contribute to the success of this exciting event.

Everyone had an amazing time, with lots of rambunctious betting, which greatly helped this year's horse race raise more money than ever before in the 50/50 raffle and Heads and Tails contest. This is greatly beneficial to We Care Arts and all of the wonderful services we provide for people with all abilities.


We are also thrilled to say that two of our piggy bank awards for the winning horse owners went all the way to California. It is so wonderful to have people from all over the United States learning about the good work here at We Care Arts!