In 2024, Art for the Journey will highlight one volunteer to honor each month! The volunteer of the month will be recognized for their time, dedication, contribution and creativity to our programs and the mission of Art for the Journey as a whole. Our first volunteer highlight is Dionne M!
Dionne M. learned about Art for the Journey through the marketing department via her employer. Dionne chose to dedicate her time to volunteering at AFJ because of her creative art interest alongside assisting others. She has been volunteering with AFJ since May of 2022!
When I volunteer with the Veterans, I feel uplifted and inspired. Many of these individuals are living with PTSD and other combat related disabilities, but the excitement and joy they show during the art session seem to bring calmness and an eagerness to participate.
Dionne has given her time within our veterans program assisting individuals who have served that experience PTSD and combat-related traumas. She explains she elated to see all of the transformations on canvas, with clay and other art materials that the Veterans use to create their masterpieces. As these veterans are not always formal creators in the art space, Dionne emphasizes how "each work of art is a genuine, heartfelt and amazing masterpiece."
Dionne enjoys seeing the veterans arrive while volunteers are setting up and preparing for the class, as this shows these individuals have been looking forward to the art session and are eager to join with the Art for the Journey volunteer group and to begin creating!
" Thank you AFJ for this recognition! And congratulations on celebrating 10 years of transforming lives through art and community!" - Dionne M.
THANK YOU Dionne, for sharing your time and your kindness with others, we greatly appreciate YOU!
Art for the Journey could not impact thousands of lives without people like Dionne. As per Melba Gibbs, Community Engagement Coordinator and Veterans Program Director, "There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer."!
CEO Cindy Paullin offers that Art for the Journey's work with veterans is made possible through funding from Creative Forces a division of the National Endowment for the Arts, individual donors, and people like Dionne!
