An Arts & Healing Initiative uses creative practices like a drum circle to help children express themselves, and build social connections. The intention is to “proliferate kindness, compassion and connection,” in a nonverbal way to help children express themselves. According to Director Ping Ho, “The arts actually have [many] social-emotional benefits that many people who participate in them know, whether its mindful presence, stress reduction… you get to know other people very quickly, so for social connection [arts are] very powerful.” Students become mentors to one another, support each other, and make new friends. “When you’re drumming and you’re sitting in a circle… you’re literally seeing each other. And when you mirror each other, and you do the same thing, or somebody plays something and you play it back, it’s like a metaphor for empathy. It’s saying, ‘I see you, I hear you, I validate you.’”
