Shine Your Bright

Kaelyn, 16, came to the Girls’ Residential Program (GRP) having experienced years of sexual exploitation and emotional neglect at the hands of her mother and uncle. When Kaelyn first arrived at GRP, she was extremely withdrawn and had a difficult time trusting staff and connecting with peers.

However, Kaelyn loved art and found that art therapy sessions gave her a safe place to work out the trauma when it was too painful to share with words. Expression through the arts is a powerful tool that promotes emotional growth and healing, initiating change. 

Healing began for Kaelyn through art therapy sessions and carried into her free time. She spent hours drawing. A volunteer noticed her talent and helped her enter a piece of artwork into a local art show. Kaelyn couldn’t believe that her art was special enough for others to see. She was so proud!

Kaelyn’s confidence grew and she began to thrive in all aspects of the program. She became a leader among her peers and helped welcome new participants. This creative process unlocked parts of Kaelyn’s mind and heart that allowed her to step into freedom and hope she had never known before. 

Thanks to organizations like Wellspring Living and programs like GRP, participants can find healing through art therapy sessions which help them reduce stress, build social and communication skills, create positive experiences, improve self-awareness and express themselves.

All Abstract Expression purchases directly benefit Wellspring Living and the fight to end human trafficking.