Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2016, eleven artist-teachers and five volunteers worked with over 1100 children during the year, distributing more than 240 dance shoes/costumes and more. Breanna's Gift also distributed more than 1060 "Art Takeout" projects for children who are too sick to participate in group activities. Volunteers donated over 800 hours of their time; help that is invaluable in meeting the special needs of a sick child. Breanna's Gift processes developed with the program The website continued to grow; policies continue to be updated as required to meet non-profit standards. Databases tracked the categorized information that we use to run an efficient, effective, measurable organizations. The impact the program has on children and their families was seen as soon as the music began or a project started: the focus, concentration and smiles on everyone's faces were memories that last forever.
Current Goals
Breanna's Gift main program goal for 2017 remains to work with as many children as possible. With this in mind, we increased the units visited at the Children's Minnesota Minneapolis location and increased the number of days when classes were held. We will sponsor four artist workshops where children will work on special projects for two or three consecutive afternoons. With more time added to the program and more workshops, additional scrutiny will be given to the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of program content. With 6 "Art Takeout projects in place and an Adult project called "Inside the Lines" (a coloring packet for adults who spend many hours and sometimes weeks in the hospital with their children,) we plan to continue adding more hospitals outside of the Twin Cities area to receive these projects. There are currently 4 hospitals and we plan to add a 5th before the end of 2017. We have added - one visual arts teacher and will add 2 more program volunteers to our staff. Organizational goals will increase to support our program growth; we have a new program coordinator, and are looking to add an art takeout coordinator and 2 new members to our Board of Directors.
Community or Constituency Served
Breanna's Gift serves seriously ill children and their families.
Geographic Area Served
We serve the Twin Cities area and any patients and families that come from out of the state or out of the country for treatment. Additionally, we send our Art Takeout Program to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital in Rochester, MN., Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, VA., Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, FL. and Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas, TX.
