Second Lady Karen Pence Visits MercyFirst in New York

 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