DAR donates art kits to CASA of Humboldt
Two local chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently donated art kits to the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Humboldt.
“Receiving these kits was amazing. It is a great example of how caring and connected our community is,” said CASA of Humboldt Executive Director Jeanne Gordon.
The nonprofit CASA of Humboldt serves children who are involved with the child welfare system and have experienced “adverse childhood experiences (ACEs),” Gordon said.
“It has been shown that having a consistent, caring adult and having a sense of purpose are two of the strongest resiliency factors for children who have experienced ACEs,” she said. “Our volunteer advocates serve as the consistent mentor in lives of children. These art kits provide a wonderful opportunity for advocate and child to have fun together and to build their relationship. For many youth, especially those who have experienced trauma, art becomes an outlet to express themselves and discover a hobby that fosters a sense of purpose.”
Members of the Eel River Valley Chapter in Fortuna and Del Norte Chapter in Crescent City donated art kits to CASA of Humboldt as part of the California State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution Community Classroom Project and, specifically, Project heART, which focuses on students in foster care.
“The kits were purchased from local craft and art supply stores in both Humboldt and Del Norte counties,” said Eel River Valley Chapter Vice Regent Catherine Culver.
The art kits have different focuses, she said, from creating scrapbooks and making friendship bracelets to weaving and painting — and more.
“The activities were varied and covered younger children up to late teens,” Culver said. “The purpose of the kits was to allow foster children to create something that, until that point, was only imagined. The period of quiet reflection gives children permission to relax and ponder. Art augments emotional intelligence and enhances the development of empathy and personal communication.”
She added, “With the act of creation, recognition of the world outside of oneself and the world within oneself becomes more understandable and less frightening. Educationally, art opens the door to learning through all senses. All students, but especially foster care students, benefit from access to the creative arts.”
Though art kit donations are part of a statewide ef
fort, local DAR members were adamant that the kits stay on the North Coast to help local youth.
“This is the most important part of the project,’ Culver said. “Eel River Valley Chapter Regent Virginia Howard Mullan was determined that the chapter’s and Del Norte Chapter’s contributions remain in the area. She worked with the Community Classroom Committee northern co-chair to convince her that CASA Humboldt is the appropriate entity to receive the art kits for this area. Otherwise, the contributions would have likely gone to the Bay Area.”
Gordon says that over the last year, CASA of Humboldt has served approximately 60 children in the county, with many more who are waiting to be matched with an advocate.
“We are always looking for dedicated individuals to become CASA volunteers and we offer trainings each month,” she said. “If you are interested in getting more information you can visit our website at humboldtcasa.org or call our office at 707-443-3197.
For more information about DAR’s Eel River Valley Chapter, go to https:// fortuna.californiadar. org. For more information about the Del Norte Chapter, visit https://delnorte.californiadar.org.