ANNUALREPORT

2018

ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report2

WHO DOES YOUR SUPPORT HELP?WHOLE FAMILIES.ILLNESS IS A FAMILY AFFAIR. When Kelvin Brown, Sr., and his wife Sharon learned that their middle son, Kelvin, Jr., has sickle cell beta thalassemia, their whole world changed. Their handsome little boy would face a life of fatigue, pain crisis, transfusions and long hospital stays – and that was just the beginning.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown sat down and prayed. They committed to facing whatever came together, to giving their boys a strong, loving family and to sharing their deep faith.

Seventeen years later, Mr. Brown says, “Kelvin is our miracle. When he had a bone marrow transplant in hopes of improving his quality of life, his body rebelled. Twice, Kelvin’s doctors came to us, as Kelvin lay medically paralyzed, an oscillator breathing for him, and told us to prepare for the fact that he might not make it. They asked us to think about whether or not we wanted Kelvin to be an organ donor. It was that close. But twice, Kelvin pulled through.”

These challenges have meant months in the hospital – months when Kelvin’s body was exhausted, when the pain was horrific, but Kelvin’s mind was excellent and his spirit was strong.

What does a young man do – isolated from his friends, when even his younger brother cannot visit, when his parents have to take turns being with him, while juggling work and the other children?

Kelvin spent hours at the Art Table with Arts For Life Program Director Alison Griffin in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. When he wasn’t up to coming to the art table, Alison took projects to his bedside. When Kelvin was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Alison took art kits for Kelvin and his mom and his Aunt Karen to enjoy. In addition, Kelvin spent hours working with Cricut materials, a resource that provides cutout paper to use as his imagination dictated. It helped make moments of comfort and joy.

Mrs. Brown says, “Arts For Life was our saving grace in the hospital. The art and the art teacher’s warm, caring presence, eased the hours. We are thankful for our church, for our employers, who have made it easier for us to care for our boys in these challenging times, for the hospital staff, and we are thankful for Arts For Life. Arts For Life has been there for all of us – a blessing in most stressful times.”

Like the Browns, Arts For Life is thankful. We are thankful for Kelvin’s courage, for his family’s strength, and for our donors, who make it possible for us to “be there.”

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As one of Kelvin’s clinic nurses, I’ve seen firsthand how much comfort

Arts For Life has brought him atthe hospital.

He’s such a positive kid with a great heart and has so much strength — it’s really nice to see him enjoying Arts For

Life activities during his time at Duke.- Lauren May

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VOLUNTEERS INCREASE OUR REACH. Kimberly Lucier knows how hospitals work. She was the Child Life Coordinator at Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital when she heard Anna Littman, Arts For Life’s founder, speak. When Anna shared how Arts For Life came into being, her words spoke to Kimberly’s heart. As a Child Life Specialist, Kimberly had seen firsthand how important it was for young people in the hospital to have things to do. She saw how powerful art was in giving pediatric patients a way to deal with overwhelming emotions and realities.

Kimberly worked to see that Arts For Life became available to Presbyterian while she was there. As a hospital employee, she was a witness to the power of creativity to comfort kids and families.

When Kimberly married and started her family, she left the hospital, but kept the knowledge of the comfort of creating. As soon as Kimberly’s own children were old enough, she returned to the hospital setting, this time as an Arts For Life volunteer at Levine Children’s.

“It’s such a joy to be part of Arts For Life,” she shared. “Kids come into the Playroom and you can tell they are stressed. Then they see the art table. They see that they have choices. They see fun things to do and find ways to work out difficult feelings and share thoughts for which words are hard to find.”

Kimberly remembered a small boy, who sat working intently on a picture. When he was done, he showed her a big smiling heart. The heart had a jagged crack down the middle and what stitches going through the line.

“That’s my brother’s heart,” the boy said. “It was hurt, but the doctors mended it. Now my brother’s heart will be happy.”

Kimberly’s heart was happy too. Arts For Life had given a young child a way to express how he felt about a difficult reality.

Arts For Life is happy to have all 166 volunteers, who make hard times a little easier for children and their families as they fight hard battles. These volunteers make it possible for a lean budget to still serve more than 14,000 children and family members facing serious illnesses and disabilities. So to Kimberly Lucier and to all our volunteers, we say: “Thank you!”

If you’re interested in joining our team of volunteers, go to artsforlifenc.org and check out opportunities to help.

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OUR DONORS – HELPING GOOD GROW. Arts For Life started with one sister’s seed of an idea, a way to give the comfort of creativity to her sibling, who was dealing with a serious illness. By 2018, Arts For Life had grown to serve more than 14,000 children and their family members, because donors like Anne and Steve Sessions cared.

Anne and Steve have been there for Arts For Life since its beginning. Anne recalls the mixture of fear, boredom and love that inspired our program.

“It was eighteen years ago, when Anna Littman’s younger sister was diagnosed with bone cancer. Anna’s sister, Katie, was eleven years old, and she would spend most of the next year in the hospital fighting to survive. Katie was battling cancer, but she was also fighting pain and nausea. She was fighting fear and sadness. She was fighting anger, loneliness, and boredom. Their mom was there doing all she could to keep spirits up. Their mom transformed the hospital room with different themes. Once, she transformed the room into a beach scene. Another time, the theme was dogs. It helped, but when Anna came to visit her little sister, she still saw sadness and boredom in this bright young girl’s eyes. So she brought a journal and a disposable camera. She encouraged Katie to photograph the people and things in her little hospital world, and to write about them in her journal. And they started to have some fun. Anna suggested that Katie have a section in her journal for “things that made her happy,” and a section for “things that made her sad.” It felt good to act like a normal eleven-year-old!”

Anne remembers standing at the door of the hospital room and watching the two sisters with their heads together, collaborating, sorting pictures, making notes, laughing and crying together. Others were noticing, too. Katie’s room began to attract other young patients – drawn to the fun, drawn to the comfort. The other kids wanted in.

“That’s why I’m here,” Anna told Anne.

For Anne and Steve Sessions, seeing the transformation, seeing the difference a creative outlet made even in the most stressful of circumstances was a seed planted in their hearts. It started with Steve

donating lots of disposable cameras. It has continued for eighteen years, with Anne volunteering, serving on the Board of Directors, and hosting gatherings. Both Anne and Steve donate their time, their talents, and their treasure to help young people facing serious illness and disability and their families experience healthy ways to process hard times, to bring children moments of joy and reasons to laugh.

Last year alone, Anne and Steve Sessions and their fellow donors enabled Arts For Life to give the comfort of creativity to more than 14,000 children and their families. Imagine how many kids that Anne and Steve Sessions, and donors like them, have helped in eighteen years.

Donors, like Anne and Steve, make it possible for Arts For Life to be there for others when they need it most.ARTS FOR LIFE | 2018 Annual Report8

Garanco, Inc.Greenway Wealth AdvisorsGeorge Lewis GrodyGrovewood GalleryHanesbrandsCarolyn HaniganLari Powell HatleyInfinium SpiritsEd and Vicki JenestJerome S. and Grace H. Murray FoundationKK Brown Art StudioKooken Family FoundationGary and Theresa LandwirthLinda LandwirthBill and Betsy LongSusan LydayLyon FoundationElizabeth MangoneMcConnell GolfMcGuireWoodsBill and Myrt McNeelyMe Fine FoundationMegs Smile FoundationMary Ann and Bruce MinkinMission Healthcare FoundationMission HospitalCarol and Crafton MitchellChristine and Michael MorykwasThe Owen & Cecil FamiliesSusan Connors Parrish and Jason ParrishPrathmesh PatelPeople In Need Fund - Community Foundation of Western North CarolinaPolivka International CompanyDr. and Mrs. Benjamin PowellLesley and Carl PowellNancy and Howard Powell

Atrium Healthcare FoundationThe Babcock FamilyDawn-Marie BarnardSuzanne BillipsAda Lea BirnieMary Beth Blackwell-Chapman and Chris ChapmanLauren BolshakovKaren and Buster BrownCapital City HomesCardinal Health FoundationCarolina Hand and Sports Medicine, PACharity Golf InternationalThe Clear Light FundClemmons Community FoundationDaniel and Anne ClowersCharley and Christanne Coffey

Puddle Baby Children’s BoutiqueRamble Charitable Fund - Community Foundation of Western North CarolinaReemprise FundRHOBrent RiceRoles-Fleder FundRotary Club of ClemmonsJessica SavilleDrew and Donna SchwartzDeborah Scott-JamesSensibilities Day SpaAnne and Steve SessionsSeven Foot GiantElecta and Ellison SmithKelley and Jack StackJana and Dana StonestreetWes and Lee SuggThe Kenan Family FoundationThe Leon Levine FoundationTony Stewart FoundationTruliant Federal Credit UnionTwin City Kiwanis FoundationTwine & Twig StyleUBSCatina VaughanBeth and Joe VoglerThe Vogler FamilyVolunteer Leadership Committee at Mission HealthWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWalnut Cove Members AssociationKatie and Sean WardBeth and Matt WheelerKatie Widle

Kara ColemanChristina and Daniel CottinghamCottingham Chalk HayesCT Wilson Construction CompanyPete D’ArrigoMichael DarbouzeKathy and Robert DavisThe Dickson FamilyDuke Children’s Hospital and Health CenterDuke Hospital AuxiliaryFanny Landwirth FoundationKaren and Mike FitzgeraldFleshman-Pratt FoundationJeffrey FletcherSteven Forbes deSouleThe Foy FamilyFranklin AcademyMike and Laura FunderburgThe Gaillard Family

PATRON’S CIRCLE

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WHAT’S AN ANNUAL REPORT FOR, ANYWAY?In the best and brightest version of Arts For Life’s annual report, it’s a way to share with YOU the incredible, life-changing impact you’ve made possible in the last year for pediatric patients and family members.

Your support means everything.

Your support is the pair of invisible hands at the art table, setting out paint, paper and brushes for our young artists. It’s the unseen smile greeting a fearful toddler and a nervous mom. It’s the beating heart of Arts For Life and none of this is possible without you.

We had a challenging but also deeply meaningful year in 2018. We touched the lives of more than 14,000 children and family members for the first time ever. That’s 14,000 people who were able to tap into their creative process to help them in their healing process. It was also a challenging year because we missed our fundraising goal, and so we have to work extra hard this year to ensure that our financial footing is strong.

How critically important a strong financial foundation is becomes crystal clear when you hear a mom say that Arts For Life was a lifeline for her daughter’s spirit during treatment.

It’s up to all of us to keep that lifeline alive.

Are you wondering “What can I do this year – today – to help make sure this magic is always available for kids and their families?”

• Please continue supporting! We believe that the true value of a dollar is the good it makes possible in the world – and you make a LOT of good possible.

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook - and like, comment, and share freely with your community. • Lend a hand in real life, too – consider volunteering in the hospital or hosting a house party fundraiser.

That’s what this annual report is for. To say THANK YOU, we APPRECIATE YOU, and we NEED YOU!

Did we do it? Tell us what you think. Reach out anytime.

Sincerely yours,Rachel ZinkExecutive Directorrachel@artsforlifenc.org(828) 712-8120

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WHO WE ARE,WHAT WE DO. Arts For Life is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pediatric patients and families through hands-on engagement in the arts. Our dedicated staff, volunteers and arts programs enrich patients’ lives, nurture their minds and spirits, and encourage positive healthcare experiences for children and their families. We serve children and families facing illnesses and disabilities; no matter who they are, no matter where they are from.

OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

Art Tables in Clinic Waiting Rooms & PlayroomsYoung patients visiting the clinic or staying at the hospital make a beeline for Arts For Life’s art tables. With their Arts For Life teachers, children learn to create and develop art skills while they meet other kids and explore their talents.

Bedside Studios on Inpatient UnitsArts For Life teachers travel from hospital room to hospital room, teaching young patients painting, drawing, sculpting, writing, and more. For patients who can’t leave their room or aren’t feeling well enough to join the art table, their projects are tailored to their interests and abilities.

Art Groups & Special EventsThrough partnerships with summer camps, special outpatient events for patients and families, and visiting artist workshops, Arts For Life helps kids and teens meet each other and interact in a fun environment outside of appointments and hospital stays.

Internships & VolunteeringWe would only be able to reach a fraction of the number of kids we help without the time, energy, and dedication of our volunteer and intern team. Arts For Life is always looking for community members and college students to join us!

Visit artsforlifenc.org/get-involved to learn more about how to make a difference.

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IN 2018, ARTS FOR LIFE:

Served 14,002 pediatric patients and family members

Delivered 22,975 art, music, and creative writing lessons

Patients made art, music, and poetry for an average of 324 hours of creative opportunities each week across North Carolina, or 46 hours per day

People Experiences

AshevilleCharlotteDurham

Winston-Salem

3,6681,1074,0845,143

7,7781,6076,0037,578

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AbrahamRick AlexanderDon and Lynn AllenSuzanne AllenCynthia and Steve AndersonJackie AustinNancy AycockMelissa BakerCarolyn BarkerDeanna BaugherEmily Page BeamerCaroline BickfordMaxine BlackwellBobbyMiss Amber BoydJenna BradleyKelsey BrownKaren BrownLauren DuncanMargaret CarlsonJane Ellen CellaAllen ChoyceElise CoffeyCaroline CollinsCaroline ComlyAmanda CookMia DaughertyTerry DealLaura and Robert DillardDick L. DrakeAmy DuffnerAll the children and families at DukeLauren DuncanFrances DunnMiranda EckardThe Clowers FamilyScotty FischerKatie FitzgeraldTheo Foy

Ana Maria FriedmanJan FriedtMary Margaret FulkMargaret Blalock FurchesDr. Wes and Cornelia GarbeeWesley GarbeeShayla GarrettAusten Rose GilreathStafford GivensEmily Jane GoldenDoreen GordonJordan GreerDr. May GriebelAlison GriffinRebecca GwynHarry J. HamiltonCal HesseThomas Jordan HinchCharlie HoltJason S. HoneycuttLayla and HowellEmma IsenhourJacksonLibby JonesLindsay Hawfield JonesCheryl KilpatrickMaggie KilpatrickGreta KonechnyKeith KrebbsBen Castens and Jessica LambrinosVicki LatheryBette LevinAnna LittmanScarlett LluberasAnna LongDoug Michaels and Mariano Garrido-LopezCharles LuceKevin Michael Luke

Logan ManeyGeorge MasonGary MasseyMarshall McIverDaniel McLachlanKarlee McMullenDr. Doug Scothorn, MDRachel MinerBranch, Norris, and Banks MoodyRaquel L. NelsonStephanie NewstedtSouthwest Guilford NHSDAElla NuttSebastian OrtizAll Arts For Life patientsLauren PeaughTricia PenlandMya PhillipsTara PittChris PollakHeath and Larry PowellZade RamseyMary RagsdaleRaleigh RebstockMarty ReeveConnor RifeCharlotte RobsonAnnie RogersFrances SeehausenAnne SessionsMimi ShackelfordCassidy Cloyed ShugarMarlowe Rose SimonColin SinkMark SlavcoffNancy SmithDana SmithAvie SoxDavid Sparks

All Arts For Life volunteers and staffGrayson StephensRamya SubramanianHudson SullivanNicole SundayJohn Anderson TaylorCesc TempletonBob and Kay TimberlakeVintage Church DurhamJoe and Beth VoglerMeredith and Mosby VoglerMary Margaret WadeRichard A. WalmsleyDevi Anna WaltersBryce WardEmma WardKatie and Sean WardInez WarfieldMeg WasleyEmma and Maggie WatsonRacquelle WeaverMichael WhetsellMax WhitmireMargaret WhittJennifer WillardJanie WilsonKrista WolfeSherry WrennRachel ZinkSofie Zuluager

GIFTS WERE MADE IN HONOR OF THE FOLLOWING

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BOARD MEMBERSLaura Funderburg - Matthews, NCChair Wade Rogers - Asheville, NCTreasurer Cassidy Cloyed - Asheville, NCSecretary Dan Clowers - Winston-Salem, NC Sam Fleder - Cary, NC Lesley Powell - Charlotte, NC Sean Ward - Raleigh, NC

STAFFRachel Zink, Executive DirectorLari Powell Hatley, Development CoordinatorMary Margaret Fulk, Development CoordinatorSnee Howard, Office Manager & BookkeeperAnnie Rogers, Regional Program DirectorMission Children’s HospitalBetsey McLawhorn, Regional Program DirectorBrenner Children’s HospitalAlison Griffin, Program DirectorDuke Children’s Hospital & Health CenterSarah Ness, Program DirectorLevine Children’s HospitalAnna Long, Lead Program CoordinatorMission Children’s HospitalAmber Scavo, Program CoordinatorBrenner Children’s HospitalKatharine Phlegar Broughton, Program CoordinatorDuke Children’s Hospital & Health CenterCara Steinbuchel, Program AssistantMission Children’s HospitalKelsey Brown, Program AssistantBrenner Children’s HospitalAlexandra Valladares, Music TeacherDuke Children’s Hospital & Health CenterLouis Landry, Music TeacherDuke Children’s Hospital & Health CenterMarty Edwards, Music TeacherBrenner Children’s HospitalMelissa Hyman, Music TeacherMission Children’s Hospital

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Claire ArmstrongPeter BadalamenteChristi BarnesMary BarnettErin BeckJohn BeckKaitlyn BooneKathleen BooneCourtney BranchRachel CarrasquilloAmanda CookKerry DanelsonAllison Cortes De AlbaAmy DrewsLauren DuncanLeeAnne EdwardsAshley FarleyYuning FengNathan Ross FreemanElise FriedmanFred FullerAnna Pate GloverSammie GoodwinMax GordonEllie HarrisAnn HiattMargaret HorsleyMariah Hydzik

Rachel BareMaggie BurganSarah ColiRacehl CrawfordLaura FunderburgSydney GarrellLiz GoreMichelle LeviKimberly LucierHannah McBrideHannah MixonAdrienne Montero

Allison JohnsonBria JonaissantJennifer JordanJayne KoeslinJenny LandrethJessica LongAlec MarukiMaya MenonMegan O’DonnellMary OppegaardEmily OrtizBethany PanAmy PfefferScott RempePamela RifeMallory SavidgeJessica SchueleFran SeehausenTaylor SpeagleEmily StoryAnna TarrantoAustin TempleEvanne TimberlakeLogan TrotterAmy ValenteKayana WallerJonathan WhiteShan Woolard

McKinzie MorganGwen OrlandVanessa OttLeanna PaiRuhi PatelPamela RifeAmy SeitlinFred SextonNabria SeymoreJennie WinstonJenna Wise

VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS FROM THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

Winston-Salem Charlotte

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Valerie Poullette AltmanJackie AustinSherry BalesGrant BarbourGrace BergRegina BlandAna BlantonGil CalderwoodMeagan Dessert-MaurerJan FriedtLinda FurcelloPat GauntBonnie GliddenPatty GrandysRikki GuerreroCaitlin HettichCarole HodgesFredrica IrwinVicki Jenest

Suzanne AllenATLAS at Duke Children’s Patrick CardelCharlaine ChenKatie ClowersMeredith College Meredith CollinsBecky DasonJen DavisMargie FleenorMeFine Foundation Adaiya GranberryAlex HeilmanCynthia HelmSJ HoneycuttVictoria HsiungCharles HuangElizabeth IaquintaMarissa JacksonMary Kate MorganLouisa KemmerKinza KhanAnnie KornackLiz LeapoAlex Lee

Laurel JohnsonStephanie JonesKathy JossteKatie LanierJane MaxwellFrances SchaperStephanie SchulzMimi ShackelfordEvelyn SheahanSophia Silva-FischerJustin SlackJerri SmithElecta SmithGrace SquiresMelba TracyPatricia VeatchRod WhyteGail Wiley

Michelle LeeScott LiuEdith Galvan LopezSelena MagazziMary ManessSujal ManoharErika MartinezCarol MitchellKrista NanceLauren O’SheaIsabel PerryJulie PhlegarArjun RameshUma RaoAl SmithVikki SnipesAnngelyque StevensonDebbie SuchoffNoor TasnimJessica WilliamsRobin YehBo YunAmy ZhaoAlison Zink

Asheville Durham

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STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIESYEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018Revenue

Expenses

Donations 283,764

Hospital Fee for Service 118,300

Grants + Foundations 207,328

Endowment Interest 19,180

In-Kind Contributions 52,739

Personnel Expenses 458,181

Contract Labor 39,179

Event Expenses 32,071

Program Supplies 30,821

Travel 18,638

Rent + Office Supplies 16,245

Professional Fees 10,265

Other 45,162

In-Kind Contributions 52,739

TOTAL

TOTAL

681,311

703,301

(21,990)NET

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ExpensesProgram Services 495,042

Management + General 77,567

Fundraising 130,692

RevenueDonations 283,764

Hospital Fee for Service 118,300

Grants + Foundations 207,328

Endowment Interest 19,180

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TO MAKE A DIFFERENCEartsforlifenc.org/donate

TO DONATE YOUR TIMEartsforlifenc.org/get-involved

TO READ AND SHARE THE FULL REPORT artsforlifenc.org/2018