This art project was launched in four group homes for teenagers by the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale (Direction du programme jeunesse [youth programming]) in fall 2022. Acknowledging a range of childhood traumas (abandonment, foster placement and removal, severe neglect, and physical, sexual and psychological abuse), the project offers young people a chance for relational healing and increased resilience by exploring their identities, interests, passions, dreams and aspirations. It has been proven that youths who experienced abuse have a negative view of themselves. They tend to blame themselves when things go wrong and develop a belief that they are unworthy of love, powerless, or damaged. Through art and six exploratory workshops, youths were able to explore their identities, which is one of the most powerful protective factors in the transition to adulthood. With the support of special education teachers, they were able to talk freely about their past, present and hopes for the future. This opportunity to cultivate their skills and accentuate their strengths has contributed to their identity development. A vernissage was held to show their outstanding work and sow a “seed” of positive self-esteem, cultivating hope and the belief that it is possible to change your life! At the event, guided by a professional artist, the youths created four unique collective works with the people who attended, to be distributed to each of the four group homes, marking the end of the project.

Project submitted by Geneviève Tessier, Psychoeducator and Professional Coordinator

Other contributors: Myriam Bélanger, Psychoeducator and Professional Coordinator, and Victoria Gagnon, Valérie Pichette, Emy Beaulieu, and Shany Leclerc, Special Education Teachers