Our Story

TOGETHER, WE ARE USING ART TO IMPACT LIVES

Art Impact Project is a non-profit organization founded by Vickie Marasco who resides in Lake County, IL. The original function was to design and deliver art programming to specifically help adolescents struggling with emotional wellness issues and substance abuse recovery. The idea came from Vickie’s personal experience with her teenage son and other teens in recovery who found it difficult to express the deep emotions behind their struggles.

Since its inception in 2014, Art Impact Project continues to provide the original project objectives and program model, but has expanded its mission and reach to include young adults and adults as well as adolescents and to focus on emotional wellness concerns of all levels.

Art Impact Project partners with a variety of organizations by enhancing their existing programs, treatment and/or curriculum with our art programming. We work only in group settings at our partner sites, we design the projects, provide all art materials and work side by side with participants and staff for 90-120 minute sessions on a routine schedule to fit our partner and participants needs.

We are able to serve many in need of healthier coping skills, emotional awareness, and expression through our partnerships with schools, after school programs, mental and behavioral health facilities, a domestic violence and human trafficking crisis center, recovery sites and an inmate program at the Lake County Jail.

Art Impact Project offers a unique and productive opportunity for our participants to openly express themselves through the power of art making. Volunteer Art Advocates facilitate our specially designed art programs with the ability to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment for those we serve.

With every new participant, partner and volunteer, we are adding new chapters to our story, as we continuously expand our vision and further our mission of enhancing emotional wellness through creative expression.