"It is my absolute pleasure and honor to write this letter of support for the wonderful work of the nonprofit organization, CoachArt. As a psychologist directing clinical support services in the largest center for children and adolescents with cancer and blood diseases in the United States, I have a deep appreciation for the role of the arts in helping heal children with life threatening illness. By connecting our patients to loving mentors in the arts who are in the same communities they live in, CoachArt gives these young people hope for the future and a chance to be 'normal'. The positive impact this has on entire families, as well as the often-harried health care providers working with the kids in our hospital, is absolutely unbelievable.

We are very proud of our direct affiliation with CoachArt and invite members of the community to see their work first-hand. The smiles and experience of accomplishment our kids receive from these wonderful activities, lessons, outings, and expressions of love are among the strongest medicine we can provide in helping to maintain health, hope and dignity during intensely scary and often painful times."

- Dr. Earnest Katz, PhD
Co-Director, Health Prevention & Outcomes Program;
Director, Behavior Sciences Section, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, USC

"CoachArt is a remarkable recreational and art program that fosters self-esteem and positive coping skills. Our chronically ill children and teens report enjoying art lessons, learning to play musical instruments, learning to play sports with their coaches, and participating in field trips. As a Clinical Social Worker, I feel the activities offered by CoachArt are therapeutic ways to increase confidence and self-esteem. By including both our patients and their siblings, it promotes stronger relationships. By strengthening these relationships it assists the families coping ability. We feel fortunate to have access to CoachArt and enjoy seeing the growth and talents our patients have to offer.

- Laura Garcia, MSW
Clinical Social Worker
Patient and Family Services
Division of Rheumatology
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

"CoachArt's professionalism and commitment to enriching the lives of critically ill children have made them a highly valued partner of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The CoachArt staff is responsive and reliable about meeting the myriad of requirements that arise when bringing outside services into a healthcare facility, and their weekly workshops in our hospital's Child Life playrooms bring colorful, engaging and age-appropriate activities to our patients and families. Equally important, it's very reassuring to know that there is an organization such as CoachArt where we can refer chronically ill children and teens for lessons and social activities once they are discharged from the hospital. Many of our patients face loneliness, isolation and limited opportunities for extracurricular activities, due to the constraints of illness. CoachArt is one of the best resources I know of that can help bring a sense of accomplishment and fun to kids whose lifestyles are limited by medical challenges. We're truly grateful for the extraordinary opportunities they provide for our patients and families."

- Jennifer Armstrong, MA-ATR
Coordinator, Arts Therapies Program
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

"CoachArt has become an organization that we have come to rely on to provide wonderful opportunities to the children and families we serve. CoachArt has afforded our children an experience that up to now has been beyond their grasp. Our organization, Reconstructing Dreams, works with children that are shunned by society because of their physical and facial deformities. They are children who are teased at school and in public. These children have learned to hide and run away from normal everyday childhood activities. Through the help of CoachArt, we have been able to help many of these children feel normal, wanted, and welcome.

I have received some great feedback from our parents about the programs that their children have been able to obtain. One of our teenage patients has benefited from CoachArt's music instructor as she has not only learned a musical instrument, but has applied the lessons at school and is now progressing to higher levels in her musical training. This was made possible because of the care and dedication the CoachArt coach gave to this young girl. Another parent shared that she does not remember the last time she has seen so much joy in her children. CoachArt has restored a sense of belonging, and made the children feel like they are part of something very important."

- Angel Gullen, MSW
Reconstructing Dreams, Inc.
Co-Director