2018
ANNUAL REPORT
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ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report
WHO DOES YOUR SUPPORT HELP? WHOLE FAMILIES. ILLNESS IS A FAMILY AFFAIR. When Kelvin Brown, Sr., and his wife Sharon learned that their middle son, Kelvin, Jr., has sickle cell beta thalassemia, their whole world changed. Their handsome little boy would face a life of fatigue, pain crisis, transfusions and long hospital stays – and that was just the beginning. Mr. and Mrs. Brown sat down and prayed. They committed to facing whatever came together, to giving their boys a strong, loving family and to sharing their deep faith. Seventeen years later, Mr. Brown says, “Kelvin is our miracle. When he had a bone marrow transplant in hopes of improving his quality of life, his body rebelled. Twice, Kelvin’s doctors came to us, as Kelvin lay medically paralyzed, an oscillator breathing for him, and told us to prepare for the fact that he might not make it. They asked us to think about whether or not we wanted Kelvin to be an organ donor. It was that close. But twice, Kelvin pulled through.”
These challenges have meant months in the hospital – months when Kelvin’s body was exhausted, when the pain was horrific, but Kelvin’s mind was excellent and his spirit was strong. What does a young man do – isolated from his friends, when even his younger brother cannot visit, when his parents have to take turns being with him, while juggling work and the other children?
Kelvin spent hours at the Art Table with Arts For Life Program Director Alison Griffin in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. When he wasn’t up to coming to the art table, Alison took projects to his bedside. When Kelvin was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Alison took art kits for Kelvin and his mom and his Aunt Karen to enjoy. In addition, Kelvin spent hours working with Cricut materials, a resource that provides cutout paper to use as his imagination dictated. It helped make moments of comfort and joy. Mrs. Brown says, “Arts For Life was our saving grace in the hospital. The art and the art teacher’s warm, caring presence, eased the hours. We are thankful for our church, for our employers, who have made it easier for us to care for our boys in these challenging times, for the hospital staff, and we are thankful for Arts For Life. Arts For Life has been there for all of us – a blessing in most stressful times.” Like the Browns, Arts For Life is thankful. We are thankful for Kelvin’s courage, for his family’s strength, and for our donors, who make it possible for us to “be there.”
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As one of Kelvin’s clinic nurses, I’ve seen firsthand how much comfort Arts For Life has brought him at the hospital. He’s such a positive kid with a great heart and has so much strength — it’s really nice to see him enjoying Arts For Life activities during his time at Duke. - Lauren May 4
ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report
ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report
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ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report
VOLUNTEERS INCREASE OUR REACH. Kimberly Lucier knows how hospitals work. She was the Child Life Coordinator at Presbyterian Hemby
Children’s Hospital when she heard Anna Littman, Arts For Life’s founder, speak. When Anna shared how Arts For Life came into being, her words spoke to Kimberly’s heart. As a Child Life Specialist, Kimberly had seen firsthand how important it was for young people in the hospital to have things to do. She saw how powerful art was in giving pediatric patients a way to deal with overwhelming emotions and realities.
Kimberly worked to see that Arts For Life became available to Presbyterian while she was there. As a hospital employee, she was a witness to the power of creativity to comfort kids and families.
When Kimberly married and started her family, she left the hospital, but kept the knowledge of the comfort of creating. As soon as Kimberly’s own children were old enough, she returned to the hospital setting, this time as an Arts For Life volunteer at Levine Children’s. “It’s such a joy to be part of Arts For Life,” she shared. “Kids come into the Playroom and you can tell they are stressed. Then they see the art table. They see that they have choices. They see fun things to do and find ways
to work out difficult feelings and share thoughts for which words are hard to find.”
Kimberly remembered a small boy, who sat working intently on a picture. When he was done, he showed her a big smiling heart. The heart had a jagged crack down the middle and what stitches going through the line.
“That’s my brother’s heart,” the boy said. “It was hurt, but the doctors mended it. Now my brother’s heart will be happy.” Kimberly’s heart was happy too. Arts For Life had given a young child a way to express how he felt about a difficult reality.
Arts For Life is happy to have all 166 volunteers, who make hard times a little easier for children and their families as they fight hard battles. These volunteers make it possible for a lean budget to still serve more than 14,000 children and family members facing serious illnesses and disabilities. So to Kimberly Lucier and to all our volunteers, we say: “Thank you!”
If you’re interested in joining our team of volunteers, go to artsforlifenc.org and check out opportunities to help.
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OUR DONORS – HELPING GOOD GROW. Arts For Life started with one sister’s seed of an idea, a way to give the comfort of creativity to her sibling, who was dealing with a serious illness. By 2018, Arts For Life had grown to serve more than 14,000 children and their family members, because donors like Anne and Steve Sessions cared. Anne and Steve have been there for Arts For Life since its beginning. Anne recalls the mixture of fear, boredom and love that inspired our program.
“It was eighteen years ago, when Anna Littman’s younger sister was diagnosed with bone cancer. Anna’s sister, Katie, was eleven years old, and she would spend most of the next year in the hospital fighting to survive. Katie was battling cancer, but she was also fighting pain and nausea. She was fighting fear and sadness. She was fighting anger, loneliness, and boredom. Their mom was there doing all she could to keep spirits up. Their mom transformed the hospital room with different themes. Once, she transformed the room into a beach scene. Another time, the theme was dogs. It helped, but when Anna came to visit her little sister, she still saw sadness and boredom in this bright young girl’s eyes. So she brought a journal and a disposable camera. She encouraged Katie to photograph the people and things in her little hospital world, and to write about them in her journal. And they started to have some fun. Anna suggested that Katie have a section in her journal for “things that made her happy,” and a section for “things that made her sad.” It felt good to act like a normal eleven-year-old!” Anne remembers standing at the door of the hospital room and watching the two sisters with their heads together, collaborating, sorting pictures, making notes, laughing and crying together. Others were noticing, too. Katie’s room began to attract other young patients – drawn to the fun, drawn to the comfort. The other kids wanted in. “That’s why I’m here,” Anna told Anne.
For Anne and Steve Sessions, seeing the transformation, seeing the difference a creative outlet made even in the most stressful of circumstances was a seed planted in their hearts. It started with Steve
donating lots of disposable cameras. It has continued for eighteen years, with Anne volunteering, serving on the Board of Directors, and hosting gatherings. Both Anne and Steve donate their time, their talents, and their treasure to help young people facing serious illness and disability and their families experience healthy ways to process hard times, to bring children moments of joy and reasons to laugh. Last year alone, Anne and Steve Sessions and their fellow donors enabled Arts For Life to give the comfort of creativity to more than 14,000 children and their families. Imagine how many kids that Anne and Steve Sessions, and donors like them, have helped in eighteen years.
Donors, like Anne and Steve, make it possible for Arts For Life to be there for others when they need it most. 8
ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report
PATRON’S CIRCLE Atrium Healthcare Foundation The Babcock Family
Kara Coleman
Garanco, Inc.
Christina and
Greenway Wealth Advisors
Daniel Cottingham
George Lewis Grody
Dawn-Marie Barnard
Cottingham Chalk Hayes
Grovewood Gallery
Suzanne Billips
CT Wilson Construction
Hanesbrands
Puddle Baby Children’s Boutique Ramble Charitable Fund -
Company
Carolyn Hanigan
Community Foundation of
Pete D’Arrigo
Lari Powell Hatley
Western North Carolina
Blackwell-Chapman
Michael Darbouze
Infinium Spirits
Reemprise Fund
and Chris Chapman
Kathy and Robert Davis
Ed and Vicki Jenest
RHO
Lauren Bolshakov
The Dickson Family
Jerome S. and Grace H.
Brent Rice
Karen and Buster Brown
Duke Children’s Hospital
Ada Lea Birnie Mary Beth
Capital City Homes
and Health Center
Murray Foundation
Roles-Fleder Fund
KK Brown Art Studio
Rotary Club of Clemmons
Cardinal Health Foundation
Duke Hospital Auxiliary
Kooken Family Foundation
Jessica Saville
Carolina Hand
Fanny Landwirth Foundation
Gary and Theresa Landwirth
Drew and Donna Schwartz
Karen and Mike Fitzgerald
Linda Landwirth
Deborah Scott-James
Charity Golf International
Fleshman-Pratt Foundation
Bill and Betsy Long
Sensibilities Day Spa
The Clear Light Fund
Jeffrey Fletcher
Susan Lyday
Anne and Steve Sessions
Clemmons Community
Steven Forbes deSoule
Lyon Foundation
Seven Foot Giant
The Foy Family
Elizabeth Mangone
Electa and Ellison Smith
Daniel and Anne Clowers
Franklin Academy
McConnell Golf
Kelley and Jack Stack
Charley and
Mike and Laura Funderburg
McGuireWoods
Jana and Dana Stonestreet
The Gaillard Family
Bill and Myrt McNeely
Wes and Lee Sugg
Me Fine Foundation
The Kenan Family
and Sports Medicine, PA
Foundation
Christanne Coffey
Megs Smile Foundation
Foundation
Mary Ann and Bruce Minkin
The Leon Levine Foundation
Mission Healthcare
Tony Stewart Foundation Truliant Federal Credit Union
Foundation
Twin City Kiwanis
Mission Hospital Carol and Crafton Mitchell Christine and Michael
Foundation Twine & Twig Style UBS
Morykwas The Owen & Cecil Families
Catina Vaughan
Susan Connors Parrish and
Beth and Joe Vogler The Vogler Family
Jason Parrish
Volunteer Leadership
Prathmesh Patel People In Need Fund Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Polivka International
Committee at Mission Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Walnut Cove Members
Company Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin
Association Katie and Sean Ward
Powell Lesley and Carl Powell
Beth and Matt Wheeler
Nancy and Howard Powell
Katie Widle
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WHAT’S AN ANNUAL REPORT FOR, ANYWAY? In the best and brightest version of Arts For Life’s annual report, it’s a way to share with YOU the incredible, life-changing impact you’ve made possible in the last year for pediatric patients and family members. Your support means everything. Your support is the pair of invisible hands at the art table, setting out paint, paper and brushes for our young artists. It’s the unseen smile greeting a fearful toddler and a nervous mom. It’s the beating heart of Arts For Life and none of this is possible without you. We had a challenging but also deeply meaningful year in 2018. We touched the lives of more than 14,000 children and family members for the first time ever. That’s 14,000 people who were able to tap into their creative process to help them in their healing process. It was also a challenging year because we missed our fundraising goal, and so we have to work extra hard this year to ensure that our financial footing is strong. How critically important a strong financial foundation is becomes crystal clear when you hear a mom say that Arts For Life was a lifeline for her daughter’s spirit during treatment. It’s up to all of us to keep that lifeline alive. Are you wondering “What can I do this year – today – to help make sure this magic is always available for kids and their families?” • Please continue supporting! We believe that the true value of a dollar is the good it makes possible in the world – and you make a LOT of good possible. • Follow us on Instagram and Facebook - and like, comment, and share freely with your community. • Lend a hand in real life, too – consider volunteering in the hospital or hosting a house party fundraiser. That’s what this annual report is for. To say THANK YOU, we APPRECIATE YOU, and we NEED YOU! Did we do it? Tell us what you think. Reach out anytime. Sincerely yours, Rachel Zink Executive Director rachel@artsforlifenc.org (828) 712-8120
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WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO. Arts For Life is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pediatric patients and families through hands-on engagement in the arts. Our dedicated staff, volunteers and arts programs enrich patients’ lives, nurture their minds and spirits, and encourage positive healthcare experiences for children and their families. We serve children and families facing illnesses and disabilities; no matter who they are, no matter where they are from.
OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS Art Tables in Clinic Waiting Rooms & Playrooms Young patients visiting the clinic or staying at the hospital make a beeline for Arts For Life’s art tables. With their Arts For Life teachers, children learn to create and develop art skills while they meet other kids and explore their talents. Bedside Studios on Inpatient Units Arts For Life teachers travel from hospital room to hospital room, teaching young patients painting, drawing, sculpting, writing, and more. For patients who can’t leave their room or aren’t feeling well enough to join the art table, their projects are tailored to their interests and abilities. Art Groups & Special Events Through partnerships with summer camps, special outpatient events for patients and families, and visiting artist workshops, Arts For Life helps kids and teens meet each other and interact in a fun environment outside of appointments and hospital stays. Internships & Volunteering We would only be able to reach a fraction of the number of kids we help without the time, energy, and dedication of our volunteer and intern team. Arts For Life is always looking for community members and college students to join us! Visit artsforlifenc.org/get-involved to learn more about how to make a difference.
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IN 2018, ARTS FOR LIFE: Served 14,002 pediatric patients and family members Delivered 22,975 art, music, and creative writing lessons Patients made art, music, and poetry for an average of 324 hours of creative opportunities each week across North Carolina, or 46 hours per day
Asheville Charlotte Durham Winston-Salem
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People
Experiences
3,668 1,107 4,084 5,143
7,778 1,607 6,003 7,578
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GIFTS WERE MADE IN HONOR OF THE FOLLOWING
Abraham Rick Alexander Don and Lynn Allen Suzanne Allen Cynthia and Steve Anderson Jackie Austin Nancy Aycock Melissa Baker Carolyn Barker Deanna Baugher Emily Page Beamer Caroline Bickford
Maxine Blackwell Bobby Miss Amber Boyd Jenna Bradley Kelsey Brown Karen Brown Lauren Duncan Margaret Carlson Jane Ellen Cella Allen Choyce Elise Coffey Caroline Collins Caroline Comly Amanda Cook Mia Daugherty Terry Deal Laura and Robert Dillard Dick L. Drake Amy Duffner All the children and families at Duke Lauren Duncan Frances Dunn Miranda Eckard The Clowers Family Scotty Fischer Katie Fitzgerald Theo Foy
Ana Maria Friedman Jan Friedt Mary Margaret Fulk Margaret Blalock Furches Dr. Wes and Cornelia Garbee Wesley Garbee Shayla Garrett Austen Rose Gilreath Stafford Givens Emily Jane Golden Doreen Gordon Jordan Greer Dr. May Griebel Alison Griffin Rebecca Gwyn Harry J. Hamilton Cal Hesse Thomas Jordan Hinch Charlie Holt Jason S. Honeycutt Layla and Howell Emma Isenhour Jackson Libby Jones Lindsay Hawfield Jones Cheryl Kilpatrick Maggie Kilpatrick Greta Konechny Keith Krebbs Ben Castens and Jessica Lambrinos Vicki Lathery Bette Levin Anna Littman Scarlett Lluberas Anna Long Doug Michaels and Mariano Garrido-Lopez Charles Luce Kevin Michael Luke
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Logan Maney George Mason Gary Massey Marshall McIver Daniel McLachlan Karlee McMullen Dr. Doug Scothorn, MD Rachel Miner Branch, Norris, and Banks Moody Raquel L. Nelson Stephanie Newstedt Southwest Guilford
NHSDA Ella Nutt Sebastian Ortiz All Arts For Life patients Lauren Peaugh Tricia Penland Mya Phillips Tara Pitt Chris Pollak Heath and Larry Powell Zade Ramsey Mary Ragsdale Raleigh Rebstock Marty Reeve Connor Rife Charlotte Robson Annie Rogers Frances Seehausen Anne Sessions Mimi Shackelford Cassidy Cloyed Shugar Marlowe Rose Simon Colin Sink Mark Slavcoff Nancy Smith Dana Smith Avie Sox David Sparks
All Arts For Life volunteers and staff Grayson Stephens Ramya Subramanian Hudson Sullivan Nicole Sunday John Anderson Taylor Cesc Templeton Bob and Kay Timberlake Vintage Church Durham Joe and Beth Vogler Meredith and Mosby Vogler Mary Margaret Wade Richard A. Walmsley Devi Anna Walters Bryce Ward Emma Ward Katie and Sean Ward Inez Warfield Meg Wasley Emma and Maggie Watson Racquelle Weaver Michael Whetsell Max Whitmire Margaret Whitt Jennifer Willard Janie Wilson Krista Wolfe Sherry Wrenn Rachel Zink Sofie Zuluager
BOARD MEMBERS
Laura Funderburg - Matthews, NC Chair Wade Rogers - Asheville, NC Treasurer Cassidy Cloyed - Asheville, NC Secretary Dan Clowers - Winston-Salem, NC Sam Fleder - Cary, NC Lesley Powell - Charlotte, NC Sean Ward - Raleigh, NC
STAFF
Rachel Zink, Executive Director Lari Powell Hatley, Development Coordinator Mary Margaret Fulk, Development Coordinator Snee Howard, Office Manager & Bookkeeper Annie Rogers, Regional Program Director Mission Children’s Hospital Betsey McLawhorn, Regional Program Director Brenner Children’s Hospital Alison Griffin, Program Director Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center Sarah Ness, Program Director Levine Children’s Hospital Anna Long, Lead Program Coordinator Mission Children’s Hospital Amber Scavo, Program Coordinator Brenner Children’s Hospital Katharine Phlegar Broughton, Program Coordinator Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center Cara Steinbuchel, Program Assistant Mission Children’s Hospital Kelsey Brown, Program Assistant Brenner Children’s Hospital Alexandra Valladares, Music Teacher Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center Louis Landry, Music Teacher Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center Marty Edwards, Music Teacher Brenner Children’s Hospital Melissa Hyman, Music Teacher Mission Children’s Hospital ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report 15
VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS FROM THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE
Winston-Salem
Charlotte
Claire Armstrong Peter Badalamente Christi Barnes Mary Barnett Erin Beck John Beck Kaitlyn Boone Kathleen Boone Courtney Branch Rachel Carrasquillo Amanda Cook Kerry Danelson Allison Cortes De Alba Amy Drews Lauren Duncan LeeAnne Edwards Ashley Farley Yuning Feng Nathan Ross Freeman Elise Friedman Fred Fuller Anna Pate Glover Sammie Goodwin Max Gordon Ellie Harris Ann Hiatt Margaret Horsley Mariah Hydzik
Rachel Bare Maggie Burgan Sarah Coli Racehl Crawford Laura Funderburg Sydney Garrell Liz Gore Michelle Levi Kimberly Lucier Hannah McBride Hannah Mixon Adrienne Montero
Allison Johnson Bria Jonaissant Jennifer Jordan Jayne Koeslin Jenny Landreth Jessica Long Alec Maruki Maya Menon Megan O’Donnell Mary Oppegaard Emily Ortiz Bethany Pan Amy Pfeffer Scott Rempe Pamela Rife Mallory Savidge Jessica Schuele Fran Seehausen Taylor Speagle Emily Story Anna Tarranto Austin Temple Evanne Timberlake Logan Trotter Amy Valente Kayana Waller Jonathan White Shan Woolard
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McKinzie Morgan Gwen Orland Vanessa Ott Leanna Pai Ruhi Patel Pamela Rife Amy Seitlin Fred Sexton Nabria Seymore Jennie Winston Jenna Wise
Asheville
Valerie Poullette Altman Jackie Austin Sherry Bales Grant Barbour Grace Berg Regina Bland Ana Blanton Gil Calderwood Meagan Dessert-Maurer Jan Friedt Linda Furcello Pat Gaunt Bonnie Glidden Patty Grandys Rikki Guerrero Caitlin Hettich Carole Hodges Fredrica Irwin Vicki Jenest
Durham
Laurel Johnson Stephanie Jones Kathy Josste Katie Lanier Jane Maxwell Frances Schaper Stephanie Schulz Mimi Shackelford Evelyn Sheahan Sophia Silva-Fischer Justin Slack Jerri Smith Electa Smith Grace Squires Melba Tracy Patricia Veatch Rod Whyte Gail Wiley
Suzanne Allen ATLAS at Duke Children’s Patrick Cardel Charlaine Chen Katie Clowers Meredith College Meredith Collins Becky Dason Jen Davis Margie Fleenor MeFine Foundation Adaiya Granberry Alex Heilman Cynthia Helm SJ Honeycutt Victoria Hsiung Charles Huang Elizabeth Iaquinta Marissa Jackson Mary Kate Morgan Louisa Kemmer Kinza Khan Annie Kornack Liz Leapo Alex Lee
Michelle Lee Scott Liu Edith Galvan Lopez Selena Magazzi Mary Maness Sujal Manohar Erika Martinez Carol Mitchell Krista Nance Lauren O’Shea Isabel Perry Julie Phlegar Arjun Ramesh Uma Rao Al Smith Vikki Snipes Anngelyque Stevenson Debbie Suchoff Noor Tasnim Jessica Williams Robin Yeh Bo Yun Amy Zhao Alison Zink
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STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 Revenue Donations
283,764
Hospital Fee for Service
118,300
Grants + Foundations
207,328
Endowment Interest
19,180
In-Kind Contributions
52,739
TOTAL 681,311
Expenses Personnel Expenses
458,181
Contract Labor
39,179
Event Expenses
32,071
Program Supplies
30,821
Travel
18,638
Rent + Office Supplies
16,245
Professional Fees
10,265
Other
45,162
In-Kind Contributions
52,739
TOTAL 703,301 NET (21,990) 18 ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report
Revenue Donations
283,764
Hospital Fee for Service
118,300
Grants + Foundations
207,328
Endowment Interest
19,180
Expenses Program Services Management + General Fundraising
495,042 77,567 130,692
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