DrawBridge welcomes new year with donations of art supplies to children across the Bay Area

Staff and volunteers from the arts nonprofit DrawBridge are delivering hundreds of high quality backpacks filled with art supplies to children at domestic violence and homeless shelters, affordable housing facilities, and community centers across seven Bay Area counties.

“We are delighted to provide these gifts for our youth artists,” said DrawBridge Executive Director Tracy Bays-Boothe. “Thanks to the generosity of the action sports brand Vans, FLAX Art & Design, and community supporters, children across the Bay Area will enjoy a creative start to the New Year.”

DrawBridge’s 2021 holiday campaign marked the end of an exciting year of partnerships, raising almost $80,000 in donations to support the supply giveaway and fund ongoing expressive arts programs for Bay Area children. Other notable program partnerships in 2021 included:

• Participation in the de Young Museum’s “De Youngsters Art Party,” which connected local artists and educators with children for activities inspired by the museum’s permanent collection

• Partnership with Silicon Valley Open Studios, whose artists donated a generous portion of their art sales to DrawBridge

• Launch of free online Summer Arts Adventure program across DrawBridge partner sites, allowing children to experienced the fun of summer camp, despite distance

• Participation by DrawBridge youth artists in the creation of a 56-foot mural in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood with the Canal Arts Initiative

• Partnerships with the Center for Domestic Peace to raise awareness for domestic violence, Día de los Muertos community celebrations, and the 10th Annual Great Kindness Challenge, joining sixteen million students nationwide

“DrawBridge continues to demonstrate how art truly brings children, families, and communities together,” said DrawBridge Program Manager Sarah Yazdani. “I hear it from families, volunteers, new and long-time partners, who understand how crucial DrawBridge’s mission is for children, especially in these times.”

About DrawBridge Since 1989, DrawBridge has inspired creativity and self-confidence in tens of thousands of children at homeless shelters, affordable housing sites, and community centers across seven Bay Area counties. Through weekly expressive arts programs offered free of charge, children ages five and up are given the opportunity to connect with their community and explore the playful creativity that is so important to healthy development.

Source: DrawBridge