FAQs

Click a category below!

General

Why do you use recycled or seemingly old art materials?

The children we work with have little to no personal possessions. One major element of our core curriculum is Imagination. Recycled materials, such as paper scraps, magazine cut-outs, or repurposed cardboard, make for perfect materials for young children to tap into their imaginations and create something out of very little. Considering the circumstances of the children we work with, it could be quite difficult for a young child, who may be transient, to keep up with property such as a canvas or large sculpture. Projects made with paper, for example, are much easier for the children to keep in their rooms, or display on the wall at the shelter where they’re currently living. Albeit, not all sessions or projects require recycled or repurposed materials. We also use sculpting clay, new canvases, and other new materials for certain projects.



Is drawchange Faith based?

While we do honor and respect all religions, drawchange is not a faith based organization and we do not help based on religious beliefs. Our diverse staff, volunteers, and children come from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. We support each member of our drawchange family and celebrate their diversity.



Why don't you use erasers when drawing in your programs?

"There are no mistakes in art", says founder/CEO, Jennie Lobato. Something as little as taking away an eraser provides our children the opportunity to create without even the thought of their masterpiece having mistakes.



Funding/Donations

How is drawchange funded?

We are funded primarily through individual donors. We also accept corporate sponsorships. Please email us at info@drawchange.org for more information about our sponsorship packet! Any level of donation makes a meaningful impact for the children we work with. Whether you can afford to give $5.00 or $500, please know that all donations really add up for us!



What percentage of your funds stay in Atlanta versus your international projects?

100% of funds raised in Atlanta stay in Atlanta unless otherwise specifically stated. We believe in supporting our local community first and foremost. Our international projects are partnership commitments with other organizations, and are funded by the volunteers who participate every year.



Do you accept art supply donations?

Thanks for asking! We often accept specific donations to fit our needs. You can find a list of needs on our contribute page. Additionally, please know how far a small financial contribution can go as we purchase supplies in bulk. Sustaining Membership is one of the most effective ways you can create change in our organization. Lastly, please also take a look at our wishlist where we list items needed for our daily operation. Thanks again! If purchasing supplies, please consider Amazon Smile as they donate a portion of your sales price to us!



Programs

Can drawchange create a program in our organization or school?

We focus on impoverished children, aged 5-10. If your school or organization will allow us to establish a program, and the children in your care fit in our category of both, aged 5-10, and “impoverished,” please email us at info@drawchange.org. We’d love to build a new program!



What do your programs focus on?

Our programs aim to empower young children, who are currently living in deep poverty, to visualize a better life for themselves, build confidence, relieve stress, build collaboration and teamwork skills, and foster their imaginations. All projects focus on one or more elements of our core-curriculum below: Collaboration
Empowerment
Dream Building
Imagination
Self-Esteem
Creation
Stress Relief



How do you choose your curriculum?

We incorporate our seven core competencies into our Living Curriculum: Collaboration, Empowerment, Dream Building, Imagination, Self-Esteem, Creation, and Stress Relief as core concepts into our curriculum and everything we do as an organization. We take into account the children’s current emotional status, and establish the curriculum accordingly, week after week. After a pandemic, for example, we may choose a curriculum focused predominantly around Empowerment and Stress Relief. We do our best to assess the immediate needs of the children so that we can accurately assist them through our art therapy-based sessions.



Volunteering

Do I have to be an artist to volunteer?

Absolutely not! We’ve always lived by something our founder always says, “If you can express love, you are welcome to volunteer with us! Fill out a volunteer application to get started today! We also welcome corporate or group-volunteering opportunities. We have welcomed groups such as families, companies, and academic organizations to participate in group-volunteering



Do you accept volunteer groups?

Thank you for offering to volunteer as a company with us! If your group would like to volunteer at our homeless shelter programs: In order to best serve our children, we must keep our volunteer numbers low to maintain the calm and intentional therapeutic environment they most currently need. It is for their protection and well-being that we cannot take over 6 volunteers at a time. If you have a larger group that would like to volunteer with us, we ask that you please consider the children and their situation by choosing no more than 4-6 individuals at a time to volunteer with us. To see our Group Volunteering Policy, please click here. If your group would like to volunteer at our office helping us with administrative tasks: Due to our small office size, we can have no more than 4 volunteers at a time. Please contact info@drawchange.org if you are interested in volunteering at our office and we’ll let you know when a good day will be!