Art Helps Heal is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting hospitalized teens through creativity, connection, and self expression. Through carefully curated art kits, we give young patients a way to express themselves, pass time with purpose, and feel a sense of normalcy in an environment that often takes that away.
Our Story
Art Helps Heal began with a simple but powerful idea: when everything feels out of your control, creativity can give something back.
Hospital stays can be long, isolating, and overwhelming, especially for teens who are navigating not only illness, but identity, independence, and emotional growth. In those moments, even small outlets for expression can make a meaningful difference.
What started as an effort to bring art supplies to hospitalized teens quickly became something more intentional. We saw firsthand how creativity could shift a patient’s experience, offering a sense of calm, a way to process emotions, and a reminder that their voice still matters.
Each Art Helps Heal kit is designed with care. From the materials to the prompts, everything is chosen to be accessible, engaging, and meaningful. These kits are not just activities. They are tools for self expression, moments of relief, and a way to reconnect with a sense of self in an unfamiliar environment.
Over the past decade, we have grown through community support, hospital partnerships, and a shared belief that healing extends beyond medicine.
Today, Art Helps Heal continues to expand its reach, bringing creative resources to more patients while building a future where every hospitalized teen has access to meaningful, expressive support.
Because sometimes, healing begins with something as simple as being able to create.
Our Team
Anne Hollenbeck
President
As President of the board, Anne brings years of leadership experience to the organization. She is passionate about the restorative power of art for young patients. Her vision helps guide our strategic growth.
Margaret Peterson
Vice President
Margaret focuses on program development and hospital partnerships. She has a background in healthcare administration and a love for watercolor painting. She ensures our kits meet clinical excellence standards.
Shirley Forpe
Secretary / Treasurer
As our Secretary treasurer Shirley takes minutes at our meetings, maintains records for the organization and corresponds with our donors. As our treasurer she balances our books, prepares our taxes and compliance papers for our 501(c)3 status. But it was her creative side that developed Healing Kits during the pandemic. Shirley had the idea of individually wrapped lessons that child-life could safely distribute to patients. The kit would include instructions and all the necessary supplies for patients to create the art project. Whether working from bed or a wheelchair artist success is possible with our healing kits.
Carol Black
Board Member
Carol brings experience in community organizing and public relations. She helps tell our story and build relationships with donors. She is inspired by the resilience of the teenagers we serve.
Rosie Colucci
Patient Advisor & Healing Kit Creator
Rosie is a patient advisor and healing kit video creator. She uses her experience to inspire hospitalized teens through art therapy. Her creative guidance helps turn clinical spaces into areas of resilience and joy.
Veronica Englund
Director of Marketing & Communications
Veronica is our Director of Marketing and Communications. She leads our brand strategy and shares our impact stories with the world. Her passion for storytelling strengthens our community and drives our non-profit mission forward.
Rosie's Story
Hi, my name is Rosie, and I have been in and out of the hospital since I was 3 years old; I am now 20.
Just like you, I have been where you are now. Laying in a hospital bed, worried, scared, and bored out of my mind. All I wanted was to be home with my family or back at school with my friends.
I know it is not an easy road being seriously sick, away from home, and in an unfamiliar strange place with too many machines, blinking lights, and alarms. I have had so many medical issues throughout my life that it is unimaginable.
Maybe you are like me, and you have a complex rare diagnosis, one that the doctors don’t even know how to treat. Maybe like me, you also have cancer and you have been going through chemotherapy treatments, throwing up, losing your hair, or like me, you have been rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night, terrified you might not make it.
No matter what put you in the hospital, you are not alone. I can relate; I have been there far too many times.
When I am in the hospital I draw, paint, and create Art; I get lost in my thoughts. Art is a positive distraction that helps manage my stress and anxiety. Art helps heal, not only my mind but my soul.
That is why I am committed to making ArtHelpsHeal healing kit videos. I hope I inspire you to get lost in your mind and create something wonderful!
Our Board of Directors
Karen Cohler
Board Member
Karen is a dedicated advocate for adolescent mental health. She brings her expertise in non-profit management to help scale our impact. She believes every teenager deserves a creative outlet during their hospital stay.
Judy Hanlon
Board Member
Judy is a retired educator who understands developmental milestones. She provides insights into how our art kits support growth. She is a tireless volunteer for our fundraising events.
Sue Lange
Board Member
Sue connects us with the local artistic community. Her creative spirit and networking skills help us innovate our kit contents. She is dedicated to making art accessible to every teenager.