Orange County High School Student Launches Art Therapy Project for Refugee Children

Laguna Niguel, CA resident and high school student, Sophie Spalding, recently launched an inspiring project in collaboration with Orange County non-profit organization.

Voice of Refugees, Inc. (VOR) is an organization that offers tools and a supportive community to help refugee families stabilize, integrate and thrive here in Orange County, CA. VOR offers food, furniture, assistance finding employment, English and driving classes, as well as support tools to help gain citizenship.

Sophie is interested in global affairs, so she began volunteering for VOR in 2021. Over the course of the year, she has volunteered her time with their summer camp and assisted in teaching English to their many families.

Sophie has an interest in art as it relates to education and empowerment. She took a great opportunity to bring what she knows about art to this wonderful group of refugee children. Recently, Sophie took an online art therapy course and worked with a certified Art4Healing instructor – then, brought this wonderful tool to a large group of refugee children. It was an inspiring experience for all.