How can a simple paper towel make such a huge difference?

Have you ever wondered how WCA can serve so many people since we are a non-profit organization? You would not believe how much time, supplies and money is needed to allow us to contribute to the lives of as many people as possible. 

We couldn’t provide our services to the over 1,300 people we helped last year without the help of our supporters in the community and dedicated volunteers.  Without this support, we wouldn’t be able to help our clients enhance their lives and achieve greater self-confidence and independence. 

Donors come in all shapes and sizes around here! Last year, we had 448 volunteers donate 5,553 hours of their time to We Care Arts. According to the Ohio Department of Labor, volunteer time is valued at $23.07 per hour. That means that last year, our volunteers contributed $128, 107 of in-kind service to us!

We have donors who pledge annually  to pay for a client to receive our services for a year. Other donors pledge to buy supplies or pay for operating expenses. Corporations like to fund our programs for high school students or kids on the Autism Spectrum. Goodwill of the Miami Valley lets us have its truck whenever we have need of it, besides donating gift cards to their stores. Kettering Health Network has just become a generous annual sponsor of our special events. 

If you are looking for a place to make a real difference and impact the lives of many people, please consider donating your time, supplies or donations to our organization   Thank you so much for helping us become who we are today.  

Below is a list of supplies that we could greatly benefit from:

Paper towels

Toilet paper

Michael's gift certificates

Cornell Studios gift certificates (clay and glazes)

Glass beads for jewelry

Jewelry tools

Card stock and envelope packages (white, cream, brown)

Sewing scissors

Palette paper

Tracing paper

Graphite paper

Watercolor paper (any color)

Oil paints and watercolor paints (tubes)

Watercolor pencils 

Colored pencils (Prismacolor brand)

Different size canvases 

For additional information please visit our website We Care Arts or call us at 937-252-3937.  

Holiday Open House

     Come join us for our Holiday Open House. This is a fun event for the whole family! Kids (of all ages) can make their own creations at our Make It/Take it station. 

      For a $5 donation, they can make 3 different ornaments and gifts of their choice from our large selection of crafts.  All types of craft supplies will be furnished, and ideas and help are available from our friendly “elves”.

     Meanwhile, Mom can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts in our unique Gift Shop.  And think about it, Mom…Let the glitter and paint fall on OUR floor!

We Care Arts

3035 Willmington Pk.

Kettering, OH

 

Let's Celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and a chance to spread awareness, advocacy and inclusion throughout the community. During the month of October, WCA is proud to celebrate our clients with Down Syndrome and make people aware of their abilities and accomplishments.
 
According to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)one in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down Syndrome the most common chromosomal condition.

Many of our amazing clients here at WCA have Down Syndrome. We are more than proud to introduce you to one of these talented artists, Walter May.  He stands up to express his pride and support of his own condition and shares his interesting accomplishments and passion for WCA. 

Walter May was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He shared a very interesting experience when he said, “When I was a baby I almost died because my throat closed up on me, with all the prayers from my family and friends I am happy that I am alive.” His hobbies include collecting and recycling pop cans, watching soap operas and playing with the Buddy Up Tennis program at the Kettering Tennis Center. He heard about We Care Arts through Terry Schalnat, our Executive Director, when she came to Belmont High School to teach an art class and he decided to start coming here in 1992 after graduating from high school. Walter’s favorite things here are friends and painting, which is his favorite art medium. He says that painting makes him feel good inside and he likes painting larger wooden projects where he can take his time and really concentrate.

 

 

We Care Arts helps local high schools

Have you ever wondered what programs We Care Arts provides every week to our clients? We want to share with you about the many different classes and programs available. Some of the teachers go out into different high schools, nursing homes and other mental health facilities to teach art classes to youth and adults with special needs. We have a couple of special education classes from local high schools come to our main facility every week to learn and create art. 

I recently interviewed one of our art teachers Diane Zubrick who teaches an art class to the special education students from Centerville High School every Thursday at 9:30 am. During the interview, I learned that the students enjoy many different artistic activities such as working with clay, painting and sculpting. 

 Diane has truly noticed how this art class has helped the students improve their self esteem, especially when they create a piece of art they are proud of and enjoy sharing it with others. Throughout the class their moods greatly change in a positive way. Many of the classes have come for several years. Diane expresses her passion when she says, "I really enjoy seeing them mature and grow in their art." She continues to emphasize how creating art truly helps them when she says "some of the students go to work at at Meijer after class. I feel that creating art puts them in a good frame of mind to perform better at work." 

It is a true honor for our staff and volunteers to contribute to the lives of individuals with all abilities through art.

If you would like to learn more about our services and other programs here at We Care Arts as well as our other locations, please check out our website

We Care Arts.  

What's new at We Care Arts?

We want to keep you up to date on the exciting and wonderful things that are going on here at We Care Arts. Last month the Commission on Accredited Rehabilitative Facilities, CARF, came to survey our facility and programs. 

What does that mean for us? 

CARF is an international independent organization that provides accreditation services worldwide at the request of health and human service providers such as We Care Arts.

The purpose of CARF is to survey organizations to ensure they are able to provide appropriate services, programs and facilities to individuals with all abilities.  

The survey will tell us what we are doing well and ways we might improve. As a result of this survey, we hope to continue our accreditation status. 

As part of the survey, the surveyors interviewed people who receive services, their families, our staff, and others. Some questions the survey team members might ask people are: 

• Do we provide a clean and safe setting?
• Do you receive the services you need and want?
• Are you treated with respect?
• Do you take part in planning your services?
• Are you told what you need to know about your services?
• Are your questions answered in a way you understand?
• Do you know where to go with questions or concerns?

We Care Arts would be honored to again receive this valuable and prestigious recognition!  

If you would like more information about CARF, please visit their website at: www.carf.org/.