Fundraiser Collaboration with Michelle’s Place
In 2022, JDSCA Founder and Executive Director, Diane Strand, and Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center Executive Director Kim Gerrish connected at an EDC meeting. During their conversation, Kim shared that the art therapy offered to clients was costing the nonprofit more than they could afford. This resonated deeply with Diane, whose mission at JDSCA is to make the arts accessible to everyone and spread creativity across America. Inspired by this moment, Diane decided to help Michelle’s Place by providing them with art resources for their clients.
Thus, the Art in a Box initiative was born. JDSCA designed a box filled with art supplies, sufficient for six weeks of classes for six students, complete with detailed instructions for anyone leading the course. This innovative instruction approach allows Michelle’s Place to utilize volunteers for teaching, eliminating the need for hiring a professional art therapist.
JDSCA presented the Art in a Box to Michelle’s place. The cost of supplies is $500, making it manageable for the nonprofit to secure a new sponsor every six weeks. This ensures that they can replenish materials and continue teaching the same activities to new classes. The process is designed to be straightforward, allowing any volunteer to facilitate the art class with ease.
This October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and JDSCA’s fundraising month, JDSCA and Michelle’s Place are collaborating once again. This time to raise funds for both organizations. Our overall goal is to raise at least $1,000, which will be split evenly between the two nonprofits. The $500 allocated to Michelle’s Place will help replenish their Art in a Box supplies, ensuring that creative expression continues to thrive for their clients. The other $500 raised will support JDS Creative Academy’s scholarship fund for students, aligning with its mission to make the arts accessible to all!
Thank you for your support! Together we can make a lasting difference in the community!
Sincerely,
Diane Strand
Executive Director and Founder
JDS Creative Academy