Each year children in our community, nation and world experience life changing and traumatic events in the form of natural and man-made disasters sometimes fleeing with only the clothes on their backs.  Often, children are left scared, confused and silent during and after these events due to their limited life experiences and immature language skills.

 

The Foundation for Coloring Away Pain responds to natural disasters by providing children with our original coloring books and boxes of crayons.  In times of natural disasters, children benefit from routine and possessions to help provide securtiy and make them feel safe.  These coloring books not only give children a voice, but also something they can touch, feel and call their own; re-establishing hope and security.

 

Using animal characters and easily digestible stories, children affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, earthquakes and grief are encouraged to open up and express themselves through drawing and coloring.  Often when a child does not know where to begin a simple "tell me about your picture" is all that is needed to get them talking.  Truly, a picture is worth a thousand words.