"Healing Hands" HeART Work
Our "Healing Hands HeART Work" Mental Health & STEM event provided a safe space for women and youth to explore emotional wellness through the therapeutic art of clay sculpture. This creative practice offered numerous mental health benefits, primarily due to its unique tactile nature. Incorporating STEM components allowed participants to develop skills such as problem-solving and collaboration, which supported their overall well-being. However, this also presented unique challenges that fostered positive connections, conversations, and community support. Participants engaged in discussions on mental health awareness and resilience-building exercises aimed at reducing stigma and promoting healing. The clay sculpture and STEM presentation facilitated by local artist Willandra McGahee and Executive Director Dr. MarTrice Jackson served as a bridge between STEM and mental health by grounding scientific and engineering principles in a creative, hands-on, and beneficial exercise. This intersection provided a tangible way to explore abstract scientific concepts while participating in a mindful activity that reduced stress, fostered resilience, and improved cognitive function.
Success Highlights
✅ Community Engagement: Over 20 participants attended, representing diverse age groups and backgrounds.
✅ Awareness Raised: 90% of attendees reported a greater understanding of mental health and available local resources.
✅ Creative Healing: Art-based activities provided participants with practical tools to express emotions and cope with stress.
✅ Youth Impact: Young women and girls shared that the event helped them feel seen, valued, and empowered.
✅ Partnerships Strengthened: Collaborations/sponsorships with Healing Arts Institute of South Florida, Jimmy John's Sandwiches, and Publix Supermarkets expanded the reach of mental health support services.
✅ Lasting Influence: Participants expressed a desire for ongoing workshops and resources, demonstrating sustainable impact.
The Healing Hands HeART Work Mental Health event demonstrated the power of combining awareness, creativity, and community to break the stigma surrounding mental health. With a diverse group of engaged participants, attendees left equipped with tools to express themselves, connect with resources, and foster resilience. This success reflects the urgent need for ongoing, accessible programs that center the voices of young women and families navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, poverty, and trauma. By investing in the expansion of Healing Hands HeART Work, funders can directly support innovative, art-based mental health solutions that reduce stigma, build confidence, and strengthen community well-being. Your partnership ensures that these critical resources not only reach more families in South Florida but also create lasting systems of empowerment and healin
"Pack the Future" Supply Drive
The "Pack the Future" Supply Drive equipped students and educators with the tools they need to succeed, reducing barriers to learning and fostering confidence as they entered a new school year. Through the generosity of community partners, families received essential supplies and resources, affirming that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Success Highlights
✅ Student Impact: Over 250 students received backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies.
✅ Educator Support: Over 25 educators were provided with classroom resources to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
✅ Equity in Action: Supplies reached underserved communities, ensuring students started school on equal footing with their peers; a Raffled ASUS 14" Laptop was donated to a deserving family in need.
✅ Community Collaboration: Partnerships with local businesses, organizations, Children's Services Council, Walmart & Spark Good Grants, Staples, Broward County Parks & Recreation, along with the Broward Sheriff's Office strengthened collective efforts to uplift youth.
✅ Family Relief: Parents shared that the event eased financial burdens and gave them peace of mind heading into the school year.
✅ Sustainable Momentum: Many attendees expressed interest in volunteering or supporting future drives, proving the event’s ripple effect.
The Pack the Future Supply Drive proved that when a community comes together, the trajectory of a child’s academic journey can change. By distributing essential supplies to [insert number] students and supporting educators with much-needed classroom tools, we helped reduce stressors tied to poverty and educational inequity. Families left empowered, children walked into classrooms prepared, and teachers gained the resources to focus on learning rather than shortages. With continued investment, Pack the Future can expand its reach, ensuring that no student in South Florida begins school without the tools and confidence to succeed. Your support fuels brighter futures, stronger communities, and long-term academic success.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"As a single parent, back-to-school season can be overwhelming. The Pack the Future event lifted such a burden off my shoulders. My children were so excited to receive their backpacks and supplies, and I felt relieved knowing they could walk into school prepared and confident. This support made a huge difference for our family."
— Parent & Supply Recipient
"Partnering in these initiatives reminded me of the power of community. The Healing Hands event opened dialogue about mental health that our families desperately needed, and the Pack the Future drive gave our students the tools to succeed from day one. These programs don’t just provide resources—they restore dignity and create lasting impact."
— Local Educator/Community Partner
"Attending the Healing Hands HeART Work event was life-changing. The clay sculpture activity gave me a different way to express emotions I didn’t even realize I was holding in. I walked away not only with resources, but also with a sense of hope and new friends. For the first time in a long time, I felt seen and understood."
— Community Participant