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Laura Shaw, the executive director of Paint Love, is in the studio for today’s episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum. Joined by host Todd Schnick, the two discuss Paint Love and its mission to bring extraordinary arts programming to youth facing poverty and trauma on this segment of Around Atlanta Radio.
After graduating from Boston University with a degree in community engagement, Laura knew she wanted to work in the nonprofit sector. With a background in dance and experience working with a company that performed in schools across Memphis, Paint Love seemed like the perfect career. After moving to Atlanta, Laura started working for Paint Love as a pro-bono grant writer and eventually moved her way up to executive director in 2019.
As a nonprofit organization, Paint Love helps bring art programming to children facing poverty and trauma in order to provide them with a creative, empowering and artistic experience that will help them imagine a future without being limited by certain circumstances. The organization partners with both Title 1 schools and youth-serving nonprofits, as well as professional artists who volunteer their time to help lead a variety of projects. These artist volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from jewelry making and mural painting to glass blowing and screen printing.
Projects are not only fun but also trauma-informed. Under normal circumstances, the organization hosts onsite programming at schools and youth centers with a staff that includes a Paint Love personnel and a professional artist. The projects and programming created are designed around the demographic and often have intentional themes such as self-worth, collaboration and community building. Through these themes and art projects, the children are able to enjoy a fun project while also gaining world skill that they can use in other facets of their life.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Paint Love has had to shift its work dynamic dramatically. While fundraisers and programming were originally canceled in the beginning of the pandemic, the organization has since adapted and changed courses. One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic for Paint Love is that their demographic is now larger along with the need for accessibility to even more creative outlets.
One of the changes the organization has made includes switching its programming to a virtual platform and creating art projects that use materials that can be easily found around the house. As part of its virtual programming, the organization has even made a series of guides featuring specific topics with coordinating art projects. These guides are available through their website for anyone looking to create intentional conversations through art.
Paint Love is largely funded by individual contributions, as well as grant funding and corporate sponsorships. If you would like to learn more about Paint Love and contribute to its mission, visit www.GoPaintLove.com.
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Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, License #22564. NMLS ID #6606. Subject to borrower and property qualifications. Not all applicants will qualify. New American Funding and Paint Love are not associated. Click here to view the terms and conditions of products mentioned during the show. Corporate office 14511 Myford Rd., Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (800) 450-2010. (August/2020)
New American Funding is a family-owned mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 123,000 loans for $30.4 billion, 198 branches, and about 3,100 employees. The company offers several niche loan products and has made Inc. 5000’s list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America six times. It has a state-of-the-art career training facility and develops innovative technology, including the GoGo LO mobile application. For more information, visit www.branch.newamericanfunding.com/Atlanta.
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