Drawchange

Jennie is the founder and CEO of drawchange, a nonprofit organization she created in 2009 to share the beauty of art with impoverished children around the world. Jennie still very much remains on the ground working with children both nationally and internationally. Her dream is that every child sees firsthand the beauty they are capable of producing through art. Through this capability, their self-esteem is naturally boosted and they are empowered to be all they could be! Jennie will be sitting it on as many of our Virtual classes as she can. She can't wait to meet you and your children! Please visit drawchange.org/foundersstory to learn more about Jennie and her passion.

I’ve been involved with drawchange for a year in a few different roles; Art Camp volunteer, shelter Program Lead, and Intern. I volunteer because it is amazing to see the ongoing empowerment and transformation of children through drawchange. Homeless children get the opportunity for growth, development, and stress-relief. They are equipped with tools to cope with life's trauma and growing within their family community. I volunteered at our art camp over the past year and it is truly an incredible experience. Naturally, I was bummed when I realized in person sessions weren't a possibility this summer. Virtual art camp is a great way for children to be engaged and enriched during this unique time.

I have been volunteering with drawchange since 2016 in many different capacities. I have volunteered at special events and drawchange’s beyond borders trip to Ethiopia. Most recently, I am a Program Leader at a local shelter, and led and assisted in all the summer camp sessions we had last summer. I am passionate about drawchange because it is impactful on children’s lives. All children are in need of creativity and healthy outlets for their emotions. I am excited that by offering camp virtually we will be able to reach so many more children than we ever have previously.

Since 2018, I’ve been involved with drawchange under different roles: administrative intern, volunteer, and now program lead. Within each role, I’ve seen how drawchange can change the life of a child through paper, crayons, paint, and other art supplies. I love being a part of drawchange because we work to understand the complexities of children’s experiences whether that’s facing homelessness, grief, natural disasters and everywhere in between. When the pandemic hit, we knew there would be new yet similar issues that children were experiencing. It was an opportunity to give more children the emotional skills and artistic capabilities to cope with adversity as a result of the pandemic. The world can be scary for a child, but drawchange makes it navigable.

I have been volunteering with drawchange since 2012. I have started programs leading drawchange's art classes in Brooklyn, Orlando, and Puerto Rico. I see the immediate impact drawchange has on the children and it's why I believe that there is no bad kid, just bad days! I can't wait to share the joy of our art projects with children everywhere.