NURTURING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
THROUGH ART IN BEND, OREGON
When kids come to Hearts Unknown Education (HÚE), that place might be a canvas (or a drum, or a stage, or a conversation with a caring mental health professional).
Because creative expression and community are two of the BEST ways we know to facilitate healing, create belonging, and nurture mental health for kiddos who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other challenges.
HÚE isn’t a place for your typical art class…
HÚE is a space where kids can find peace in community and creativity, grow their confidence, and have a touch point to other mental health resources in Bend.
Art classes that are excessively fun.
Art classes where kids can express themselves.
Art classes that bring calm and confidence.
And these art classes get kids excited about
a lot more than just art.
These classes get kids
excited about LIFE.
Often, when a young person shows up for their first class, their head is down, their shoulders are slumped, and they're not very interested in talking to anyone.
Then, we give them a canvas, a little guidance, and a lot of kindness.
They might paint something really dark. Or they might go through 10 canvases in one day. But whatever they create is important. And our art instructors at HÚE make sure they know that.
When kids come to HÚE, they find their people. They find their confidence. And they find that they can work through some pretty heavy things.
“The community at HÚE is really accepting and kind and caring and they’re always going to be there. That means a lot to me. They’ve helped me through my worst times. I think a lot of people go through difficulties in their own lives, and I think what HÚE does is a really major thing.”
- Jasper
We’ve seen it first hand.
Art Saves Lives
Kids have never felt more pressure or more uncertainty. And we’re seeing that in the sheer number of young kids who are self harming or hurting others.
Emotions MUST be processed, whether a kid has a healthy outlet or not.
Think of creative expression as a way for kids to get all that unnamed and overwhelming energy OUT of their little bodies and onto the canvas, stage, wheel, or whatever medium they choose.
Think of creative wellness as the result of all that beautiful expression: improved self-worth, better mental health, and internal peace.
Every kids deserves a space like HÚE:
→ Where the people there have a passion to help kids. (How can you not after you see how much the kids love this space!?)
→ Where artists, therapists, and educators volunteer their expertise & compassion.
→ Where it’s easy to feel belonging and a sense of community.
Want to know how you can get involved?
Money
(recurring monthly donations are the number one way to make sure we can keep HÚE going, and expand our existing offerings to reach more kids!)
Art supplies
Snacks and food
DONATE
VOLUNTEER
Love kids?
Have a talent you would want to teach?
Or just want to hang and have your heart melted?
2000ft² or bigger
A place HÚE can serve more kids
Somewhere we have autonomy to not have to clean up our artistic messes every day
FIND SPACE
Where the Magic Happens
HÚE is currently located at:
184 NE Franklin Ave. Bend, OR 97701
