Our Vision & Values

The Youth Art For Healing community envisions a world in which healthcare environments are warm and welcoming spaces that promote recovery and renewal. We believe that color, light, and artwork play an important role in a patient’s healing, and our goal is to contribute as many works of art and bring as much joy as possible to patients and their loved ones.

We also believe that healthcare professionals are HEROES, whether they are fighting COVID-19, supporting patients with cancer, performing surgery, or treating many other injuries and diseases. They are on the front lines and are also impacted by the environments where they work. Our goal is to bring joy and encouragement into their lives as well, through the vibrant works of art created by the Youth Art For Healing student artists.

Our Mission

The Youth Art For Healing mission is to bring works of art created by youth into healthcare environments to provide a sense of comfort, inspiration, and healing for patients and their loved ones, and healthcare professionals.

Learn more about how we fulfill our mission on our PROGRAMS page.

The Roots of Our Organization

During the 2014-15 school year, sixteen students from Walt Whitman High School participated in a special Youth Art For Healing project. The student artists created twenty beautiful paintings in memory of Matt Papirmeister, cherished son of Jan and Chuck and big brother to Sara. The paintings reflect the life of Matt and his family.

Matt served in the U.S. Army and was an Iraq War veteran, earning the Army Commendation Medal in addition to seven medals and ribbons. In August 2014, one week before his 25th birthday, Matt died of catastrophic injuries after being hit by a car while helping someone with their disabled vehicle.

Matt’s heart and kidney live on in those who were given the Gift of Life, and his exuberant and kind spirit prevails. Matt’s family is very grateful for the love, kindness, and support they have received, the amazing talent and commitment of the hundreds of student artists who have participated in the YAFH program over the years, and the many generous donations given in Matt’s memory to Youth Art For Healing.