The Healing Arts Program Initiative (H.A.P.I.) is designed to enrich the lives of local community members that face a variety of barriers.
Through art instruction, discussion, studio time and exhibition opportunity, H.A.P.I. allows individuals and groups a chance to express themselves, build self-esteem, find hidden talents and experience a sense of positive accomplishment. The program was initiated through a partnership with the Centre for Creative Arts and the John Howard Re-Integration Program. After a very successful pilot project in 2004, the program was made available to a wide range of groups throughout Grande Prairie. The program has proven successful and has evolved into one of our most utilized services, says the Centre for Creative Arts Society.
Each year the Healing Arts Program has continued to grow, touching the lives of more individuals in our community and partnering with more organizations that have expressed a need for this type of program.
The response to H.A.P.I. has been overwhelmingly positive. Groups such as Canadian Mental Health, Métis Local 1990, The John Howard Society and Northern Addictions Centre utilize their program through weekly classes. Other groups such as Native Counseling Services and The Breakfast Club schedule evening events for their clients to participate in the program. They also accommodate individuals that wish to gain exposure to the arts but face personal, physical or financial barriers.
Their vision is to offer an inclusive art program that creates a healthier more vibrant community for everyone.
This project has been made possible over the years by several different funds including the Community Impact Fund, Bryden Sparks Arts Family Fund, Young at Art Fund by T. Sedore Photography, Terry Ward KMSC Staff Fund and Opdahl Michaud Family Fund.
You can make a difference in our community – not only for today but forever. When you make a donation to the Community Impact Fund, we invest that gift into a permanent endowment fund and the original gift is never spent. Earnings from your gift are distributed in our community to support all needs in the community. Donations can be made online here – https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/38163 or by calling the Community Foundation at (780) 538-2820.
