Sharing Her Dedication

 We are thrilled to share what we learned when we interviewed one of our amazing art teachers, Sharen Eninger.  We have been truly blessed by her dedication to teach our clients for the past 15 years.  Sharon teaches a weekly art class of up to 35 students every Thursday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm here at We Care Arts.  During this class they work on all kinds of mediums, which can include painting, ceramics, oils, fiber art, weaving and much more.  She always asks her students what their dream project is and then comes up with a project to make that dream happens.  Sharen shares her enthusiasm when she says “I feel there is no project that is too big for them, they can do it!”  

  Every time they are ready to start a new project, Sharen gladly takes her time to sit down with her students and discuss their interests along with what is going on with the holidays at that point which would also help determine what may sell well in the shop.  Sharen’s favorite thing about teaching is being able to see her students leave class with a good sense of success.  It is always amazing seeing how art can truly help people feel better emotionally as well as have better self-esteem.  Sharen notices that sometimes her students get frustrated throughout the class but she describes the learning process as part of the journey, “It is like building with blocks, you first have to have a foundation.”

Another thing Sharen has observed during her teaching experience is that these art projects help to change the mood of her students in a positive way.  When they feel overwhelmed, they would break down the work into smaller parts along with focusing more on building friendships.  She encourages everyone that you should not compare your art work with other people as everyone is unique.  In order to make everyone in this class as optimistic as possible they are not allowed to say “can’t” or “won’t” but instead they can say “this is a challenge” or “this is difficult”. 

 

    One of Sharen’s many wonderful memories has been watching one of her students, Todd, grow.  When he first started he could only trace but as he continued learning and practicing he worked his way up to showing his artistic skills in whimsical paintings and coming up with his own ideas. 

We are so thankful for all of our wonderful art teachers who try their best to contribute to the lives of all of our clients.  Without Sharen and all of the amazing teachers, staff and volunteers, we would not be who we are today!

Special Holiday Cookie Walk!!!!!

 It’s cookie time again!!!!!!!

Our wildly popular Cookie Walk is Saturday, December 3 from 10 to 2 (or ‘till the cookies are gone!) here at We Care Arts, 3035 Wilmington Pike, Kettering.  

Come in, stock up on all our yummy homemade cookies for only $7 a pound and say adios to holiday baking this year! Or if you love baking, you can make us some goodies to sell at our event and help fund the programs we provide. Either way, you can’t go wrong!

Here’s how you can help:

·         Bake and donate COOKIES!!! This year, we invite you to “think outside the chip.” We all love a good chocolate chip cookie, but during the holidays, it’s sharing those “special” cookies that we remember from our childhoods that make this kind of event so much fun. We’re looking for the cookies, bars, and candies that you remember making with your mom and grandma: tassies, nut horns, snowballs, shortbreads, bourbon balls, pizzelles, luscious fudge. Beautiful and unique cookies are big sellers!

·         Come and buy cookies! Leave with dozens of different cookies for your family to enjoy. Tell your friends to come too!

·         Volunteer! We’ll need folks to help us to plate cookies on Friday, and will need cashiers and “cookie runners” throughout the day on Saturday.

    If you are interested in volunteering or baking for this event, please learn all about it on our website at  WeCare Arts  or contact us at 937-252-3937.

Let's celebrate world diabetes day

Let’s celebrate world diabetes day on November 14^th 2016. This is the day for us to show our support and spread awareness for any and all issues related to diabetes. World diabetes day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization to promote the growing health concerns of diabetes. In 2006, United Nations made world diabetes day recognized as a special day to spread awareness of the cause, outcome, and prevention of diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes happens when the body cannot produce enough insulin or it can’t use its own insulin as well as it should. This condition can cause people to experience heart conditions, blindness and lower limb amputation.

There are two types of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is heredity and Type 2 can be associated with your diet and lack of exercise. Regular exercise activities can truly help to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

How does stress affect diabetes?

When a person is under stress it can affect their eating habits and the amount of physical activities that a person will do.  Stress can cause loss of appetite or skipping meals, as well as eating unhealthy food such as chips and candy, or not exercising enough.

How can art help people affected with diabetes?

Performing artistic activities is an amazing way to relieve stress. Art therapy truly helps people get their mind off of stressful life activities and gives them something to enjoy.  Once a person does anything related to art such as painting, drawing, photography, gardening, and wood working, they are more likely to have less stress and better eating habits with more physical activity. All of this can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

We Care Arts is the perfect place to reduce your stress and socialize with others. This positive environment can truly contribute to reducing major health risk such as diabetes. 

Jeanette McElwain, and her passion for art!

This month we are proud to introduce you to another one of our talented clients, Jeanette McElwain.  She eagerly shares some of her passions and hobbies along with her passion of coming to WCA. 

 Jeanette McElwain, was born and raised in Texas. She has been in Ohio for approximately five years. She has two sisters and one brother.  Jeanette said some of her hobbies are “drawing, all kinds of ceramics,  bowling,” and she has been actively involved with learning American Sign Language for about one year. Jeanette was referred to WCA by her case manager from Montgomery County.  

She began coming here in February 2014.  Her favorite thing about coming to WCA is glazing clay and interacting with the people. Coming to WCA has really helped her emotionally because she feels happier, more relaxed, and more interactive.

She has recently shown her talent at learning sign language at our latest fund raiser in October when we performed the song "I Love You" in ASL.  If you want to watch our fun and exciting performance please click here.