Local Spotlight We Care Arts

This nonprofit is on a mission to empower and heal through art and community.

We Care Arts believes in the healing power of art that transforms physical, developmental and mental challenges into a future rich with possibilities. Southwest Ohio Parent spoke to Darlene Nelson, executive director of We Care Arts, to learn more about this organization that serves the greater Dayton area.

How did We Care Arts get started?

We Care Arts began in 1983 by Terry Schalnat and the Lutheran Social Services. At the time, the focus was to help out-of-work adults achieve additional employment skills to gain employment. Since then, We Care Arts has worked to develop job, life and social skills through art specifically for individuals with mental health diagnoses and both physical and developmental disabilities.

Tell us about your work with seniors, including your adult day care program. Who participates and how do they benefit?

Our program serves individuals ages 4-104! We hold this program at our studios on Wilmington Pike in Kettering. In addition, we hold programming at many nursing homes, senior centers, memory units and rehabilitation facilities. Seniors participate in fine arts programming led by professional artists in our Dayton region. While seniors are our primary reason for this programming, often visiting family members also participate in programming with their loved ones.

Tell us about your work with cancer patients through Miami Valley and Kettering Medical Center.

One of our many off-site programming locations includes the major hospital networks in Dayton. We have professional artists visit cancer treatment facilities to help patients create artwork while receiving their treatments. Cancer treatments are routine but frequently leave sick family members alone during this process because of work, and family responsibilities with children needing to take place. Our artists provide an artistic experience, but more importantly give empathy and friendship during a difficult hurdle in life.

What other programs do you offer?

We work in eight different school districts with Transition to Work programming in high school. This program is specific to students with disabilities working to achieve employment skills.

Art Cafe is a drop-in, weekly art class held at our Wilmington Pike Berkeley Center, where youth with disabilities have a safe environment to learn art skills and practice being social.

Our Employment Services program employs individuals with disabilities to learn and practice employment skills, preparing them for future jobs in the community.

How can people help We Care Arts?

We always accept monetary donations in support of our programming. We also accept donations of art supplies for our teachers and artists to use. We always need volunteers to help with programming and many other aspects of our organization. More information on these opportunities can be found on our website at wecarearts.org.