In Delta, art is being used as a vital tool for improving mental and physical health, strengthening social relationships, and fostering inclusion.
Three years ago, Meg Neufeld, co-founder and the Director of People and Culture at Alongside You, was approached by parents seeking a place for their young adults to connect with each other in the community post-high school and post-COVID.
Now their group has thrived through 60 sessions and more than 230 art projects, all of which have been tailored and adapted to suit everyone’s interests, considering their range in communication, cognition, physical abilities.
“Year after year, these girls have shown me how to live and create joyfully, regardless of the challenges we may face,” said Neufeld. “When it comes to art, the girls see it as a way to feel happy and express themselves, take pride in their work, explore the beautiful world around them, and nurture their friendships.”
The thing that brings them the most joy has been sharing their work with others.
Involving the girls in a fundraising activity was brought up by one of the parents and Neufeld ran with it to create the Art From The Heart fundraiser.
Named by the girls themselves, they have decorated a heart-themed wooden panel using a wide range of materials, such as paper collage, ink, fabric, beads, plaster, hand-made paper and more. Each of the girls has chosen to support the following charities: Hailey Morrow (The Parkinson Society of British Columbia), Tiana Kirkegaard (L’Arche of Greater Vancouver), Tia Bovilar (The ALS Society of British Columbia), and Taylin McGill (BC’s Children’s Hospital).
Neufeld is selling off her sample panels to raise money for the newly formed Step Forward Health Society that works to remove financial barriers to those in Delta seeking mental health support.
Though this fundraiser is geared towards family and friends at their year-end party, some panels will be available to purchase online after June 6 from Alongside You with the proceeds donated to the artist’s choice of charity.
For now, this group of friends will be in the art studio, laughing and creating to the tunes of Taylor Swift. Their vibrant expressions uplift and encourage others beyond themselves.
