SAN DIEGO — The Monarch School in Barrio Logan held its annual art auction fundraiser Thursday raising money to help unhoused children.
"When I'm feeling down I'm thinking of making something. Sculpting, drawing, it makes me feel happy. One thing about art is it makes me feel good," said Trevor, an 11-year-old student at Monarch School.
Outside of these walls, students face a lot of uncertainty. The Monarch School is the only school in the country teaching unhoused youth.
"We know that when you put a kid who is dealing with trauma in a place of creation and expression they tend to be able to exercise some of that pain and begin to identify some of their own potential," said Afira DeVries, CEO of the Monarch School.
The school uses art as a form of therapy, healing and self-expression. Attendees got to support the cause and buy student artwork during a silent auction.
"Excited and joy. I can't believe I'm selling art," Trevor said.
Just as a butterfly goes through metamorphosis in a chrysalis, the Chrysalis art center hopes to be a place of transformation too.
"Our favorite moment is the moment they see their exhibit for the first time and you just see them stand a little taller and talk a little more confidently. It's a small thing we do but a big transformation for them," said Erika Malone, director of creative art development at Monarch School.
Learn more about the Monarch School, here.
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