Momentum at drawchange: Our 2025 Wins and 2026 Vision
- Leslie Donjuan Flores
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
What a transformative year 2025 has been for drawchange! With the incredible support of community members like you, we've reached new heights in our mission to empower the world's children through art. As we reflect on our key accomplishments, we are filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey ahead.
2025 Major Accomplishments
Our work this year significantly expanded our reach and deepened the therapeutic impact of our programs.
Global Expansion & Training: We proudly trained and empowered four Ethiopian Program Leads on-site, equipping them to carry our programs forward with skill and lasting impact. This global initiative was highlighted by a heartwarming moment in Ethiopia, where a newly trained leader guided children through a soothing Imagination Session.
Team Strengthening: We recognized internal talent by promoting an associate to the role of Development and Operations Associate.
New Partnerships: We formed a valuable partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to create a Federal Work Study program, enabling students to support our work while earning hours.
Spring Break Art Camp: We successfully held our first-ever Spring Break Art Camp! While federal funding cuts have paused this program, we are so proud of the joy and wonder we shared with the children.
Updated Mission: We refined our mission statement to more clearly reflect our focus on therapeutic art and children experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Our New Mission Statement is: "We unlock potential, nurture imagination, and strengthen self-esteem for children experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) through healing, art therapy-based programming."
Our Vision for 2026: Continuing the Impact
Looking ahead, our 2026 goals are centered on strengthening our evaluation practices, securing sustainable funding, and solidifying our most impactful programs to ensure long-term, therapeutic support for children.
Program Evaluation: We plan to partner with AaEA's Evaluation Support program to strengthen our evaluation practices, which will deepen our understanding of our impact and help us refine our programs.
Art Camp Relaunch: We will explore sustainable funding solutions to relaunch our year-round Art Camp, ensuring children have consistent access to therapeutic, arts-based experiences.
Permanent Partnership: A major goal is to transition our current pilot program with Caminar Latino into a permanent offering, providing consistent, trauma-informed art therapy for children navigating the transition from domestic violence.
Volunteer & Mission Focus: We will implement volunteer retention and engagement initiatives and leverage our updated mission statement to clearly communicate our focus on children experiencing ACEs.
As Miranda, one of our dedicated volunteers, observed: "The art projects allow the kids to be creative while also getting them to think about their feelings or their hopes and dreams. They may not know they're processing emotions and experiences through art, but they are". Your support makes this transformative work possible.
Join the drawchange Family: Invest in Imagination Today!
The milestones we achieved in 2025—from training leaders in Ethiopia to securing our permanent partnership with Caminar Latino—were only possible because of compassionate supporters like you.
As we strive to achieve our ambitious 2026 goals, including transitioning our pilot program into a permanent offering and securing funding to relaunch our year-round Art Camp, your support is crucial.
Your donation ensures that every child continues to receive the focused, transformative attention and therapeutic art experiences they deserve. Our monthly donors are the heartbeat of our organization.
Will you help us ignite magic and inspire change? Visit drawchange.org/donate to learn how.
Together, we can make 2026 our most impactful year yet, empowering children to thrive through their current circumstances of poverty.
The children thank you!
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