Who We Are

The brave, creative women in our group find their way to our table in many different ways. Getting together on a weekly basis to build a sense of community, making connections and sharing experiences are our central goals. The art activities we do together provide Voice and Choice  with engagement, structure and access to visual tools. No art experience is necessary. Most of the group members are quick to say they are not artists even while making awesome and unique artwork.
Some of the comments the women have shared about why they keep coming back are: everyone gets heard, we're accepted as we are, people here understand where I'm coming from, it's non-judgmental ...
As we work together around our big table the women share warm words of wisdom, sometimes a few tears, and often much laughter. We value kindness, honesty, respect, confidentiality, and a really delicious slice of cake. 
Because poverty is all around us we believe in recycling whenever possible and many of our art supplies are donated or purchased at the lowest possible price. We take delight in making something new from odds and ends. The artwork says a lot with very little more than simple supplies, ongoing give and take, and big hearts.
The lives of our participants are often challenging on many different levels. We turn the conversations towards their strengths while also providing some general mental health life skills.
The group is funded by Canadian Mental Health Association Middlesex and is co-facilitated by two women who both have many years experience working in community mental health. The art therapist graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a diploma in art therapy in 1996 and in 1997 became a registered member of the Ontario Art Therapy Association.