Send "At Risk" Armenian Kids to Camp....

In July of 2018, I had the privilege of doing an art program (in partnership with Mercy Projects,) at a summer camp in the Republic of Georgia for youth from Armenia.  The camp is located on the shores of the Black Sea and the kids were ecstatic to be able to splash in the water or lay in the sun every day on the stone laden beach. There isn't a huge body of water near their town, which is a 12 hour van ride to camp, so the opportunity to play in the sea was beyond thrilling. I did art with the kids daily also and at the end of camp we distributed JOY Bags filled with art supplies, school supplies and other fun items for the kids to take back home with them.  This is our 17th year of doing a JOY Bag outreach internationally and/or domestically.  That alone blows my mind~

Children working on self-portraits done with their own poetry

I was quite inspired by each and every child and their individual stories.  The youth don't have very much in terms of material possessions, but they are so thankful and open hearted.  When I returned, I wanted to give them something special.  Fairly quickly, I painted the piece of artwork, "Haven" to raise money to help sponsor another group of kids to be able to attend the upcoming 2019 summer camp.  It costs $150. per child to travel to and participate in the life changing camp. That price includes food, transportation out of the country and shelter for over a week! Cheap compared to what the same program would cost in the United States. My signed Giclee print is being sold for $45.00 and the proceeds will got to the Armenian summer camp art program, as well as sponsoring individual kiddos. This an experience that they never forget, as many of the children and teens come from profoundly impoverished situations. I too am hoping to be back at the camp this summer as well!

If you would like to purchase one of these prints, go to my Etsy page: WWW.etsy.com/shop/PoetryartbyLauna

or

 If you would simply like to sponsor a child for camp, send your donation to: 

Mercy Projects, PO Box 685, Murrieta, CA 92564

*Make sure and note on your check that it is for the Armenian Camp in Georgia

(And tell them Launa sent you!)

If you are interested in making a donation toward art supplies for the children's art program, 

JOY Bags or would like to send actual art supplies:

Global Impact World Relief 

12415 E. Mingus Vista Dr.

Prescott Valley, AZ 86315

Both Mercy Projects and Global Impact World Relief are 501(c)3 non-profits and you will receive 

a tax deductible receipt in the mail for your generous donation

This is the poetry that the entire artwork is made from:

Haven

My haven is in you Lord, sheltered

In the shadow of your kindness

In the glow of your smile

The storms roll all around me

They crash over me

And yet I am safe in the shade of your wings

Comforted by your arms, wrapped so tightly

You gift me every morning with a handful of mercy

Soothe my thumping heart, calm

My frayed and ricocheting thoughts

Your voice gives me hope, teaches grace

Chases away all fear

When circumstances cry all is lost

I know you have a different plan

You offer inheritance to the orphan

A healing balm for the broken

You've made promises that I cling to

Vows that you will honor

I have a future with potential, room to dream

And the blessed assurance

That you have set your love upon me

My haven is in you Lord, sheltered

Safe and secure within your perfect will

It is here that I will remain

©Launa

"He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  He shall cover you with His feathers and under His wings shall you trust..."

Psalm 91:4a

  

art to benefit classes for kids with special needs

So this giclee, "See the Art in Me" was reproduced to be sold to support the free art classes for kids with special needs. It is a signed 13X17 print with a copy of the poetry included. (Poetry Below). This is the poetry the entire piece is made from. To purchase this or other Poetry Art items, go to:

WWW.Etsy.com/shop/PoetryArtbyLauna

Poetry:

See the Art in Me

Can you see past the insecurity, differences, poverty or the pain?
Detect my intrinsic value even under a thin layer of shame?
Do you think I might be precious, although I am not like you?
And my eyes bely a beauty, no matter what my behaviors do?
Are you brave enough to step closer to not only look, but see
The sketch of what I am not yet
But who I want to be…
Someone, anyone, please-see the art in me!

Look closely at the poetry scrawled across my face
Let your fingers find the meaning in the subtlest trace
Peer beyond the limitations that have put me in a box
That causes some to look away or to ridicule and mock
See the vivid colors on my skin and in my dreams
Get to know my innermost by using any means
I am potential, aspirations, determination and strength
Find out all that I can be, go to any length…
Someone, anyone, please-see the art in me!

I am tough, ticklish, challenged and misunderstood
I am brilliant, I am forgotten and disregarded-but I try so hard to be good
I’ve been shuffled around, fallen through cracks and been pushed aside
At times, I am loud and brash but really am just scared inside
I’ve been labeled and catalogued, so I’ve learned to be sly
Can’t you see that I’m exquisite
Even though I may appear sad and often shy?

I crave your acceptance, but am unsure as how that works
Will you love me for who I am, with all my many quirks?
I cry, I laugh, act uncomprehending and yet I really do
Understand that I am a work in progress
Like a painting, a poem or sculpture…
I am God’s perfect masterpiece
Simply beautiful, just like you
So someone, everyone, see the art in me!



(c)Launa

Sharing Down Syndrome and Poetry Art

I wanted to share this video from last night.  It is from Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona.  I am doing an art program with all sorts of kiddos with special needs, but one of them is "Dream Bigger." I am working on a piece of Poetry Art right now, with that same name, featuring children with one extra chromosome which will be sold to benefit the art program for Down syndrome. Give this a watch:

Can You SEE the ART in me?

Do my differences matter to you?

I have been doing art programs with children for more than 25 years as an 

outreach arm to my art form, Poetry Art and as a humanitarian with 

Global Impact World Relief

and other partners in the U.S. and abroad. 

In 2001, My husband Marty and I adopted

a child from an orphanage in Vietnam which thrust us into the arena of 

Reactive Attachment Disorder and children who have trauma from profound neglect.

The following year, we were blessed to welcome a newborn daughter into our family

following her birth. Within a short span of time, we had to take her to 

a neurologist as she seemed to stop hitting her milestones. 

After several years of searching for answers, we discovered 

that she was on the autistic spectrum.  In those first few years,  

her sensory processing issues were debilitating. 

 As if that wasn't enough...

In 2008, social services contacted us about a twenty-two month old boy

who needed a home. When all the clues about his prebirth and early years 

revealed themselves, we discovered that he was exposed to drugs in utero, 

had a mentally ill birth mom and while in her care, suffered neglect, trauma and 

health issues due to substances in the home environment. 

Early on, he exhibited behaviors that caused him to be bounced 

around from foster home to foster home.

So you could say that I have a PhD in early childhood development!

What my 3 children have taught me could fill volumes, but the most important

thing it has done is grow my heart for children with challenges.

That is why I developed the Program,

"See the ART in ME"

These are art classes and programs that are offered free to

children in the United States and internationally.  The purpose is

to create an inclusive environment that children from all

backgrounds and abilities can feel creative, learn life lessons,

feel accepted and thrive.

Domestic Art Programs & Art Camps:

•Special Needs: Medical & Emotional•Down's Syndrome•Trauma

•Autism Spectrum•At Risk Populations•Substance Exposed

•Battling Illness/Cancer/HIV+•Foster Care/Residential Treatment

International Art Programs & Art Camps:

For youth living in dire poverty, political & social instability, displacement & during natural disasters

For children with special needs of any kind

Contact me today if you'd like to donate art & crafting supplies, financially 

give or would like to discuss doing a program with your group:

Launastan@gmail.com or poetryartist@yahoo.com

About Global Impact World Relief

A grass roots organization founded in 1999 by Marty& Launa Stan.

We have traveled the globe bringing aid, hope & compassion

A 501 (c) Nonprofit

All donations are tax deductible