About Circle of Friends for Mental Health
Circle of Friends for Mental Health, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to give all human beings who face mental health challenges, homelessness or addiction, a fresh chance to find their identity and a reservoir of healing through art programs in visual arts, music, writing and drama. Our programs serve as a natural enduring catalyst to aid people in their recovery. The people we serve have wide-ranging needs, and come from diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds. Art is one of the most powerful tools through which we can explore our inner voice and ultimately open our eyes to the voices within one another. While creativity is an important component of art, our programs unearth not only the creative voice, but also the deeper dimension of full expression of self. Our vision, “healing through the arts” is based on our belief that healing and thriving can happen by building safe warm spaces for artistic expression within our communities. These spaces nurture and embrace our ‘circle of friends’ – volunteers, staff, mental health facilities, communities at-large, and those we teach and whom teach us – our artists. Art also serves as a platform for opening up dialogue to increase awareness about the stigmas which socially stratify people living with mental illness, addiction and homelessness; and for generating solutions to overcome these stigmas. Awareness and solutions spread on the ground, through art programs, community partners, and events such as our Charity Golf Championship, Stampede over Stigma Run, art exhibits and other fundraising ventures.