Description

Young people in Christchurch have navigated significant collective trauma from natural disasters and other challenging events. Many lack the verbal language to process their complex feelings, which can manifest as anxiety, withdrawal, or behavioral issues. Art from Ashes offers an alternative pathway to healing through non-verbal expression and creative exploration.

Our workshops are facilitated by trained art therapists and compassionate artists who specialize in trauma-informed practice. In a supportive and non-judgmental environment, participants use painting, sculpture, creative writing, and music to externalize and explore their emotions. The focus is on the process, not the final product, allowing for genuine self-discovery and release.

We partner with schools and community centers to identify youth who would benefit most from this program. The sessions are provided free of charge to ensure accessibility for all. This campaign will fund a series of 10-week programs across multiple locations, covering art supplies, therapist fees, and venue costs. We also host a annual exhibition to celebrate the participants' work, helping to reduce the stigma around mental health and trauma.

The outcomes we witness are powerful: improved self-esteem, better emotional regulation, and stronger peer connections. Participants often report feeling a greater sense of control and hope. This program is not about creating artists; it's about using art to help young people rebuild their inner worlds and find light after darkness.

Why support us?

Mental health support for youth is critically underfunded. Your support provides a proven, accessible therapeutic intervention that complements traditional counseling. You are investing in the long-term emotional well-being of a generation learning to heal.

How It Works

Funding will be allocated directly to program delivery. This includes purchasing high-quality art materials, compensating our specialist facilitators fairly for their expertise, and renting safe, welcoming spaces for the workshops to take place. A small portion will also fund the annual exhibition.

Our Vision

We envision a community where every young person has the tools and support they need to process adversity healthily. We aim to make creative therapy a standard and accessible resource for youth mental health across New Zealand.

Rewards for Our Supporters

• $10 – A digital thank-you card featuring participant art.
• $20 – A downloadable PDF of creative writing from the workshops.
• $30 – A set of digital postcards with art from the program.
• $50 – Your name listed in the program's annual report.
• $100 – A small print of a artwork from the program.
• $250 – An invitation to a private viewing of the annual exhibition.

Support Us

Help us turn pain into beauty and resilience. Support a future where Christchurch's youth are not defined by their trauma, but empowered by their ability to overcome it. Your contribution fuels a creative revolution in healing.