Click on the photos to enlarge them.
Today, Second Lady Karen Pence visited MercyFirst, a non-profit human services agency, in Syosset, New York.
Upon
arrival, Mrs. Pence was greeted by the MercyFirst staff and youth.
Following the greeting, the Second Lady viewed an art exhibition titled,
“Hope Holds No Borders: Children’s Art of Compassion
and Inclusion.” The artwork, created by children who participated in
the art therapy program at MercyFirst, was displayed at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York City earlier this year. After viewing
the artwork, the Second Lady joined an art therapy
session with youth and reviewed a case summary to explore how art
therapy positively impacted one of the youth who has participated in
MercyFirst’s art therapy program. The visit concluded with the children
showing Mrs. Pence the facility, including their
meditation labyrinth garden.
“MercyFirst
works with children who have been traumatized; grew up without parents;
and teenagers who have lost hope for the future,” said Mrs. Pence. “I
am encouraged by the stories I heard
during today’s visit, which I believe illustrates the positive
difference art therapy is making in these children’s lives. I applaud
the art therapists at MercyFirst who are undoubtedly playing an
important role in the healing of the children.”
“It
is an honor and a pleasure to share with Mrs. Pence the work our youth
are doing through art therapy for personal expression, healing, building
community and reaching out to others,” said
Eileen McGann, Director of the Arts and Creative Therapies. “We are
very excited to have Mrs. Pence meet our youth and view work from our
art exhibition Hope Holds No Borders: Children’s Art of Compassion and
Inclusion at the United Nations.”
Jerry
McCaffery, President and CEO of MercyFirst said, "We are honored to
have Mrs. Pence come visit our campus and see first-hand the value that
art therapy plays in promoting healing with
the young people we work with."
Source and photo credit: The White House, Office of the Second Lady
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