Canvas Can Do Miracles
For 15 years, Canvas Can Do Miracles (CCDM )has served underserved/disadvantaged youth and individuals to fill the gaps for the at-risk population in Knoxville and surrounding areas. CCDM offers free after-school art programs that include community art events, social support and mental health educational workshops. Jackie Holloway, Administrative Director, local artist and local agent of change, along with Tomma Battle, Executive Director leads our organization to support families through the healing practice of art.
As of December 2022, we have served over approximately 5000 youth and adults, as well as veterans and the disabled. Our post-program surveys have shown, our programs have an 88% success rate in assisting individuals in recovery in achieving positive change and growth, along with a 98% class approval.
The Austin-East High School neighborhood has experienced devastating elements of crime, drug use, and violence that have put at-risk youth in further harm. As a grass-root and community-led organization the CCDM seeks to address this issue and has implemented an innovated, free after-school program that targets youth specifically those from Austin-East High and surrounding neighborhoods by pairing art and mental health together.
CCDM offers a four-hour weekly art class and a safe space for youth to learn creative/therapeutic art skills, peer to peer learning, while also connecting them to additional community services that assist in mental health and literary training.
Our Referral and Satellite Program with local neighborhood centers and Covenant Counseling provides behavioral health education to at-risk youth and families to address trauma and build resiliency. Our goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space that provides youth-led and professional art teachers, a safety monitor, and additional resources for youth to receive innovated visual art interventions to assist and stabilize trauma effect and reduce stress and increase self-awareness regarding their mental and emotional health.
Donna Mitchell - Licensed Master Social Worker, Community Management Practice, CEO, Covenant Counseling, provides behavioral health services, assessments, treatment planning, case management, and training. We are offering to at-risk youth and families services that brigade the gaps that are identified from our last years post survey. CCDM addresses these gaps by bringing together art and mental health. CCDM provides trauma-informed trainings for students and parents. Our trauma-informed approach will allow interactions using knowledge and language youth did not already have.
According to the American Art Therapy Association several studies found art decreases levels of depression and can be used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, a benefit to our youth and their families. Through our tremendous community partners; our work has been expanded and will continue for our families and youth by these businesses and nonprofit organizations which increases sustainability. Pre and Post Class Survey suggest the need for a larger facility. We also, have contacted the UT College of Social Work to act as third-party evaluator for the project. UT SWORPS’s web-based surveys, online individual interviews and focus groups will be employed to gather baseline and quarterly interval data.
Jackie Holloway, Administrative Director was nominee for the “YWCA 2022 Women of the Year”, as Executive Director; she was invited to join the Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness Class (CSEE) 2023. CSEE is affiliated with UT’s Haslam College of Business designed to be an outreach to regional nonprofit leaders to teach business concepts and leadership skills.
Audrey Wallace - Program Director, Founder/Facilitator of "Creative Community Cultural Arts, traveling art class. Volunteers for, University of Tennessee, NAACP, SEEED, The Chance House, Girltalk, and God's Anointed Women Of Vision. CCDM’s A.rtist R.eaching T.alented S.tudents (A.R.T.S.) children class teacher, 2010 - 2013, responsible for overseeing the programs and strategic planning. Key duties: (fundraising, marketing, community outreach, community activist/visionary, professional liaison with civic/private organizations, high integrity, strong organizational abilities include planning, delegating, program development, task facilitation, increasing fundraising strategies, written/oral communication skills, ability to engage with diverse volunteer and donor groups with public speaking ability.
As CCDM positions ourself to change our community, we need your help to secure a permanent location with capacity to serve everyone who wants and needs our services. As founder, Mrs. Holloway has used her art to transform her life and she is inspired to, “inspire and encourage” others to do the same because the “Canvas Can Do Miracles”.
A generous gift afforded CCDM two years at 1218 Magnolia Avenue after raising $100,000 to renovate the space. 2021 and 2022 classes were held there until we were forced to move again; as we had several times before. We are now launching a capital campaign to acquire our own property! Please consider partnering with us and donate today!
