Creative Healing: Art Therapy Empowers Foster Children

The Soroptimists of Wratislavia launched a transformative project aimed at supporting young girls in foster care to build resilience and manage adversity. In Wrocław, approximately 700 children live in foster care, with an additional 400 awaiting placement. Many of these children have endured traumatic experiences prior to entering foster care, necessitating innovative approaches to emotional healing. Art therapy was chosen as an effective and gentle method for addressing these needs, enabling participants to process emotions and reduce negative feelings in a safe and creative environment.

The project targeted 11 girls aged 13-18, seven from Ukraine and four from Poland, many of whom came from smaller towns where access to psychological support is limited. Weekly two-hour sessions, held on Fridays, were led by Svitlana Woloshyna, a Ukrainian psychologist, art therapist, and refugee, supported by a Polish psychology student. These sessions provided a space for the girls to explore emotions through a variety of creative outlets, including storytelling, drawing, painting, collage-making etc.

To bring the project to fruition, members of Wratislavia collaborated with the Family Stop Fund, which provided premises and selected participants. Funding was secured through contributions from the Soroptimists themselves, including Soroptimists from Copenhagen-Kastrup-Taarnby (Denmark), and proceeds from a concert. The project’s implementation included careful planning, the purchase of necessary materials, and ongoing supervision.

Despite initial challenges such as finding a venue, overcoming communication barriers, and gaining the girls’ trust, the project achieved significant success. Dual facilitation by a Ukrainian and a Polish psychologist helped bridge communication gaps, while a welcoming atmosphere, complete with interior decorations and refreshments, fostered trust and engagement among the participants.

The project’s impact was evident in the girls’ personal development. They opened up emotionally, honed their creativity, and benefited from the sense of belonging and safety within the group. By providing a platform for self-expression and connection, the initiative underscored the value of art therapy in addressing the complex needs of vulnerable youth. This successful collaboration serves as a model for similar efforts to support children in challenging circumstances.