Welcome to the “We are the World Blogfest” (#WATWB ). The #WATWB was inspired by a simple conversation about how all the negativity on social media was weighing on us. Wanting to make a difference we decided to try to do our part to infuse social media with all the good stories that are out there. We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. For every dark, negative story out there, there is a positive, heartwarming story that will add some light and lift the human spirit. The last Friday of every month bloggers will share their stories led by five co-hosts, this month’s co-hosts are Shilpa Garg, Inderpreet Kaur Uppal, Peter Nena, Andrea Michaels and Damyanti Biswas.
To learn more about #WATWB or to join us click here!
Although, due to health and personal reasons I had been taking a brief hiatus from #WATWB this video passed through my feeds and I just had to share.
As many are aware I am a huge advocate for art as therapy. Art can help us make sense of our lives and ourselves, can uplift us on the darkest of days, can be healing and transformative but most importantly it can give us a voice. At Creative Growth Art Center a non-profit in Oakland, California it does just that. Since opening their doors in 1974 the centre has worked with hundreds of artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities providing them with tools, space, inspiration and support to thrive as artists. Serving approximately 162 artists a week they cater to a multiple of mediums from painting and drawing to wordworking and fashion. Although many of the clients are non-verbal, here, art is the common language.
Today, artists represented by Creative Growth have been invited to the Venice Biennale, have had their works acquired by MoMA, and remain are making a wonderful name for themselves among collectors around the world.
To learn more about the centre and their programs click here: http://www.creativegrowth.org/category/news/
Belinda Witzenhausen 
Creative growth, indeed! Good work! Thank you Belinda.
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Thanks so much for stopping by and for being part of #WATWB! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!😊
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What a truly inspiring, uplifting and heart-warming story. Thanks for sharing this powerful piece of #WATWB goodness Belinda!
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I was so impressed when I watched the video, I had to share! Thank you so much for stopping by and for being a part of #WATWB!😊 Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
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Hi Belinda – I do hope you feel easier soon … but this is a wonderful #WATWB share – loved it all … amazing to see 162 people working happily together encompassing so many challenges – just a delight … and congratulations to Creative Growth Organisation for continuing on – at least for another 45 years I hope … cheers Hilary
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What a wonderful project, I love this idea! Art is truly therapeutic in so many ways.
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“How they continue to say yes when everyone is telling them no”—this is so powerful. Amazing initiative! Here in Curaçao something similar is being done at the center for sight-impaired people, and the art they’re producing is marvelous. I’ve always been a fan of pushing boundaries, and I think initiatives like these may well be the revolution in art of this century.
Brilliant post, Belinda, and a great choice for the WATWB. Thanks for sharing!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
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A creative outlet and a place to connect with others in the real world, that is awesome enough. Then to have that work displayed in prominent places that is the proverbial icing on the cake. Long may this organization “live” and continue to do good for others. Thanks so much for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB.
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Wonderful story. Love the creativity unleashed here. 🙂
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So many artistic avenues. Just marvelous and enchanting. Belinda, thanks so much for sharing this. It just gladdens the heart.
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