"DrawBridge is a local nonprofit that provides expressive art programs for homeless and other underserved children. We present the art groups at 23 sites in six Bay Area counties and serve about 900 kids each year, with a total of 4,300 child visits annually.
DrawBridge offers a safe, supportive environment in which children can use creative arts to work through the complex emotions associated with homelessness and family dysfunction.
Being homeless is incredibly stressful, and kids have many additional burdens and worries that other kids don’t face. Through art, children can release the build-up of potentially destructive emotions, and discover their creativity, joy, selfconfidence and hope.
We focus on creating a positive, supported art experience for the kids, giving them a stable environment in which to have some fun, do some art, and express themselves in a completely safe and accepting environment.
All our work is collaborative, as we bring the art groups right into the shelters where the kids live. We work with the homeless shelters, safe houses, emergency shelters, and transitional and long-term housing agencies to provide these art groups for kids ages 4-16.
We receive positive feedback from kids, parents and site managers that the programs really help kids, improve outlooks and bring relief and joy to participants.
The organization is in its 28th year and is currently expanding its program offerings."