Photo provided to the Times Observer Pennsylvania General Energy has donated $6,000 to Family Services of Warren County to help fund the Art Therapy program in the Warren County School District. In the photo are, from left, Nichole Neukum, FSWC Executive Director and Kristine Peterson (FSWC Clinical Art Therapist) as well as Rachel Anderson, Jeff Geer and Amy Henry, members of PGE’s Corporate Giving Committee.

Budget cuts and the evaporation of COVID-19 dollars forced the elimination of some in-school student programs.

One such program is school-based art therapy.

A $6,000 donation by Pennsylvania General Energy – combined with the proceeds of a fundraiser held earlier this month – appear to have the program ready to go for the 2024-2025 school year.

Art therapy is a non-verbal therapeutic intervention that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making and the creative process.

“Recently, Family Services of Warren County held the heART Art Therapy Gala, an art auction fundraising gala at the Conewango Club to help raise funds towards the program,” Rachel Anderson, HR & Corporate Giving Committee member for PGE, said.

“The event was a success, and already planned again for 2025, but funds are still needed to run the program through this upcoming school year.”

Anderson said funds have been raised to offer art therapy services two days per week for the upcoming school year.

“PGE’s donation will help fund the administrative costs to keep the program running,” she said. “In the 2023-2024 school year, the art therapy program was utilized by more than 140 students in the district.”

All students who received services reported a positive change, with 65% reporting an increased ability to manage stress.

Ongoing donations to this program can be sent directly to Family Services of Warren County at 589 Hospital Drive, Suite E, Warren Pa., 16365, or online at https://givebutter.com/c/Ob441b.