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The Art of Belonging: Empowering the Next Generation of Changemakers

At Kennedy Heights Arts Center, we believe everyone deserves a place to feel seen, heard, and valued. Through our annual campaign, The Art of Belonging, we’re sharing stories of individuals whose lives have been enriched through our programs —and how your support makes a difference. One such program, Teen Artists for Change (TAC), empowers students in grades 7-12 to use art to express themselves, address important issues, and inspire change in the world around them.

Recently, I sat down with some of the teens to talk about their experiences. Listening to them describe why TAC is meaningful to them, the sense of belonging they feel, and the ways it’s made a difference in their lives, it became clear just how essential programs like this are.

A Space for Connection and Creativity

For teens like Luna, Teen Artists for Change is a place where she can be around other creative minds who share her love for art. “The main thing I like about it is the people here,” Luna shared. “Being around other people who are passionate about art feels so fulfilling.” TAC provides these young artists with something vital: a community. It’s not just a program—it’s a space where they can connect over shared interests, experiment, and learn from each other and from professional artists like Karen Saunders.

Karen is currently leading the group through an inspiring “yarn bombing” public art project, with a theme chosen by the teens: love and acceptance. When teens choose to make art about these themes, they’re expressing values that they want to see in the world, while also nurturing these qualities within their own community.

A Sense of Belonging

In our conversations, many of the teens highlighted how Teen Artists for Change is different from other spaces in their lives. For Vaya, it represents “an opportunity for me to express myself. In high school, so many people try to be the same, but here, I get to meet so many different people, and we can all truly be ourselves.” This sentiment was echoed by Eden, who described TAC as “a safe haven” where there is no judgment, and where everyone is free to be themselves.

Luna reflected on how the group values what makes each teen unique: “Things that make you different are valued. It’s good to be different. Your differences mean unique things you can offer.”

This sense of inclusion isn’t just inspiring; it’s a critical lifeline for teens like Allyn, who said, “I’m a person who isn’t really accepted at school. This place is very open and safe. Artists are very open-minded.”

In a world that often feels divided, Teen Artists for Change provides a much-needed environment of acceptance, helping youth see that their individuality is a strength. Each project, conversation, and experience they have here teaches them that they have a place and that their voices matter.

Your Donation Makes a Difference

When you support The Art of Belonging, you’re helping ensure that programs like Teen Artists for Change can continue providing a safe, creative, and empowering space for teens. Your donation allows us to bring in professional artists who mentor and inspire these young changemakers, offering them invaluable guidance and opportunities to explore new artistic mediums and methods.

Every dollar you give helps to nurture a young person’s self-confidence, give them a voice, and connect them with a community that embraces who they are. By donating to Kennedy Heights Arts Center, you’re not just supporting the arts; you’re helping to create a world where everyone belongs, especially the next generation of artists, thinkers, and leaders.

Join us in the art of belonging. Let’s build a world where creativity, love, and acceptance thrive—together.

Donate Today.