This project’s founder and collaborator is Isabel Pacheco who created the Fede Fundacion. This uses different types of art-based projects to support vulnerable youth and adults that may be visually impaired, Downs syndrome, autism, and/or Asperger syndrome to support emotional well being and target work-related skills.
The Art Therapy program has been able to offer a safe and inclusive space for Down syndrome and other neurodiverse youth to express themselves creatively and build a stronger sense of community, making a real difference in the lives of these children and their families. For more information, contact the Fundacion Fede at info.fundacionfede@gmail.com.
The Art Therapy Project in Barranquilla is nearly complete. This video offers a glimpse of a key activity during the project.
In April 2023, Isa Pacheco of the FEDE foundation of Barranquilla conducted an Art Therapy workshop session at the ARC of Volusia in Daytona Beach. The students painting the wine glasses are developmentally challenged clients of the ARC. These workshop sessions were a major activity engaged in by Isa Pacheco and her son during their POA travel grant visit to east central Florida in April/May, 2023. The Art Therapy workshops were jointly funded by the ARC of Volusia and the Sunset Civitan Club of the Daytona Beach Area.
At the July 2021 FPOA Quarterly meeting, Isabel Pacheco spoke to the group about the Art Therapy Project, showing the painted glasses the students created. You can find more about the project at this Instagram feed.
1. Art Therapy & Risa Terapia (Laugh Therapy) Saturday March 6th from 2 PM to 6 PM.
During these workshops youth adults and their parents/caregivers participated in a face-to-face methodology. We received the volunteer support of two interns from Universidad del Atlantico–both students of the Licenciatura en Educación Especial. Eighteen (18) youth adults aged 15 to 30 years old, from vulnerable populations located within the city of Barranquilla and its environs. They live in social strata communities classified as 1 and 2 (five with down syndrome, one visually impaired, nine with a slight Autism and Asperger syndrome, and three with learning disabilities). They participated with their facilitator in a workshop where they were exposed to the techniques of painting; they practiced some of these techniques and learned how to mix colors and the art of stained glass. Concurrently their parents, twenty-two of them (average age 40 to 50 years old), participated in a workshop demonstrating laughing as a therapy in which their facilitator taught several activities that facilitated their relaxation and emotional well-being. Afterwards, the parents joined the art therapy workshop, observed what their children had just done, and learned some useful techniques about applying the art of stained glass painting to engage their children at home in order to lead them towards applying some of these techniques, and to even consider this initiative from an entrepreneurship perspective. Meanwhile, their children were in the laugh therapy workshop in another room. At the end of this day the parents requested that future workshops be done face-to-face (in person) whenever possible.
2. Art Therapy & Risa Terapia (Laugh Therapy) Saturday March 12th from 2 PM to 6 PM.
During these workshops youth adults and their parents/caregivers participated in a face-to-face methodology. This workshop with the youth adults remained focused on training them with another stained glass art technique; the facilitator explained how to use a new material. They were all very engaged, and it was observed that they also enjoyed socializing with others. Meanwhile, their parents/caregivers were in the second workshop of laugh therapy. The facilitators applied the same methodology, they exchanged rooms as was done in the first workshop. Parents/caregivers were impressed with the art created by their children, and at the end of the session there was a presentation for everyone. Parents/caregivers asked again to keep having these workshops in a face-to-face mode.
3. Art Therapy & Wellbeing. Saturday March 20th from 2 PM to 6 PM.
The workshop with these youth adults was still focused on painting and practicing the last techniques. They even sang and were more relaxed and interacted among themselves. The facilitator highlighted the results of their work and the uniqueness of each one of the glasses that they had painted. Meanwhile parents/caregivers participated in a workshop focused on some relaxation techniques such as meditation, Yoga and Pilates. They were also taught how to apply these techniques and exercises at home with their children, and the facilitator highlighted the usefulness of this for managing stress and even aggression. Facilitators applied the same methodology; at the end participants exchanged rooms.
4. Art Therapy & Wellbeing. Friday April 9th
Due to the COVID situation, facilitators and participants decided to have the rest of the workshops by ZOOM and Whatsapp Video. At this point it became apparent that some of the participants were getting sick (parents/caregivers and children). Nevertheless, about 10 youth adults connected, and the facilitator walked them through the methodology of this virtual workshop. Some of them were able to paint while interacting with other participants.
5. Art Therapy & Wellbeing. Monday April 12th
During this workshop, the facilitator guided participants to paint figures and demonstrated breathing relaxation techniques. There was also a time for them to sing and interact among themselves by video. They sang and talked about their home routines. Parents/caregivers also interacted for a while. The assignment for the next workshop was to bring pencils, colors, paint and paper.
6. Art Therapy & Wellbeing. Friday April 14th.
The facilitator and parents/caregivers discussed the impact of the workshops so far on the children. Most of them are still engaged and find this time relaxing; they enjoy painting and showing their work. Same methodology and materials are being used.
7. Art Therapy & Wellbeing. Sunday April 16th.
Most of the participants practiced at home, painting on bottles and drawing as well. During this workshop most of them displayed their creativity, and the facilitator explained that there will be some opportunities to collect their handicrafts for the purpose of promoting them in an entrepreneur model (selling the products).
8. Art Therapy & Wellbeing 2nd Session. Wednesday April 19th
Same methodology as the previous workshop. The facilitator from Fundacion FEDE affirmed that the Fundacion is committed to continuing with these virtual workshops on a regular basis with a Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays schedule. Parents/Caregivers committed to support their children with some art supplies, and Fundacion FEDE will continue connecting to other opportunities in regard to entrepreneurship.
Beneficiaries:
Eighteen (18) youth adults from vulnerable populations located within the city of Barranquilla and its environs. They live in social strata communities classified as 1 and 2 (five with down syndrome, one participant is visually impaired, nine participants with a slight Autism and Asperger syndrome, three with learning disabilities).
Major accomplishments of the project:
At the beginning participants were very shy, due to the lockdown they had not been able to socialize very often, and with very limited resources as well. During these workshops little by little they started to open up and became engaged with the techniques taught by the facilitators. Fundacion FEDE managed to utilize two volunteer interns from La Universidad del Atlantico who are both students in the Special Education program (their background and expertise contributed positively to the workshops). Their participation played a very important role during most of the activities, since the facilitator handled a very diverse group, and at some points there were challenges needing to be addressed by more than two facilitators. By applying the stained glass techniques, the youth had a chance to relax and manage their emotions much better, Their parents and caregivers found several ways to keep them motivated to continue doing work like this at home. Fundacion FEDE is committed to continue working on finding ways to support entrepreneur initiatives with these youth adults, so their art can become a way to generate some income for achieving sustainability. It is recommended that you implement a survey or surveys with beneficiaries during events or workshops to the extent possible.
Future commitments and collaboration:
Fundacion FEDE will continue on a regular basis with virtual workshops and will continue searching for partnerships with local and international organizations which may eventually support and contribute to programs for people with special abilities.
What are the anticipated long-term benefits of your project? What are your plans for continuity and follow-up?
a. Fundacion FEDE is committed to continue working with a number of the youth beneficiaries who participated in this project.
b. Using the project results and report, including the pictures and videos, plus testimonials of participants, the Fundacion intends to promote its art/therapy program in the wider community in order to attract and involve more participants.
c. Likewise, based upon the results of this project, the Fundacion will work to attract sponsors and donors for sustaining and expanding its art/therapy program.
d. The Fundacion will develop a business unit to build capacity in this community through which the handicrafts produced by the youth “artists” can be sold to the public through a model that contributes to their well-being and generates work and some income for them.
e. It is hoped that the project activities experienced by the participants will contribute to more lasting self-esteem and personal development as well as positive evolution of their relationships with caregivers and others.
7. Were there any obstacles to meeting the project objectives? How were these dealt with?
It is inevitable to have the Covid mindset. Its impact in this community is huge, including the fact that some caregivers, parents and their children have been sick. Also the lack of resources has added a very challenging burden to overcome. However, the resilience of this community is outstanding, and the commitments or the project staff and parents/caregivers were very strong. In addition, the managers of the project were able to make needed adjustments in the interaction format. The aforementioned factors enabled a successful project in spite of the difficulties.