A Casa Kids' Art Show and Auction will be held at the Casa Kids Campus in San Marcos on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.  The event will feature an art gallery by Casa Kids ages 12-25, artist meet and greet, silent auction, live music, dinner reception and opportunity drawings. Casa de Amparo's Casa Kids have worked diligently to create art pieces that are meaningful and expressive of the emotions they have experienced and they look forward to sharing them with you.

Casa de Amparo supports those affected by child abuse and neglect through a range of programs and services that promote healing, growth and healthy relationships. As a Live Well San Diego partner, the organization strives to create healthy, thriving environments for children and young adults who have been affected by child abuse and neglect. Through Casa de Amparo's therapeutic art program, youth in their care have created powerful pieces of art reflecting the difficult emotions they struggle with as they overcome the trauma they have endured.

Casa de Amparo's therapeutic art program is led by a local artist who adapts artistic practices for the specialized needs of youth in the program and focuses on each individual's potential to find self-expression and healing through art. She has become an influential mentor for the Casa Kids; a safe, constant, positive individual in their lives. She patiently teaches the creative arts of drawing, mixed media, painting and poetry. The Casa Kids look forward to spending time with her each week on projects that contribute to their healing and artistic skills and that impact their development into healthy young adults.

Although many Casa Kids struggle to express their feelings and emotions as a result of the abuse they have experienced, the therapeutic art program provides a safe outlet where youth can be themselves, gain a strong sense of self and create art that reflects their true personalities.

The therapeutic art teacher continues to work with youth once each week and brings creative new projects that encourage participation and expression. The From the HeArt Art Show and Auction not only allows youth to share the pieces they have created, but serves to gain support from the community to allow the therapeutic art program to continue. Without the generosity of the local community, Casa Kids would not be able to participate in therapeutic art that contributes to their mental, emotional and behavioral health and well-being. Casa de Amparo hopes that From the HeArt will share with the community the value artistic expression has for youth who are affected by child abuse and neglect and will encourage ongoing support of Casa de Amparo's therapeutic art program.

Casa de Amparo's therapeutic art program improves the overall health of Casa Kids who participate in the program. Expression through art allows youth to peel back layers of positive and negative emotions and learn coping skills which improves their mental and emotional health. By finding a new outlet for emotion, whether it be drawing, painting or poetry, Casa Kids learn positive behaviors that allow them to process their experiences now and into the future.

Casa de Amparo's goal is to continue providing the therapeutic art program to Casa Kids and we hope the community will join us on September 15th to celebrate the accomplishments of our Casa Kid artists and further the program into the future.

From the HeArt Art Show and Auction will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Casa Kids Campus: 325 Buena Creek Road, San Marcos, CA 92069. There will be food, refreshments and most of all works of art that were created from powerful emotions and life experiences.