Established at the beginning of the pandemic to address a significant need for at-home mental health care for foster and at-risk youth, COTL’s Art Kit Program distributes art kits to hundreds of children throughout Oregon. Our staff at COTL work closely with our local partners to identify foster children and other at-risk youth who are most likely to benefit from the resources provided in the kits.

Our art kits allow children and teens to access an immersive, dynamic studio within the comfort of their own homes, and are thoughtfully curated to appeal to different age groups. Each kit is delivered in a tote bag designed by COTL and printed with the recipient’s name to add a personalized touch. The kits include a variety of art supplies and coloring tools, a harmonica, a journal, a coloring book, and a workbook.

To create the coloring book included in our kits, COTL collaborated with 36 incredible artists who donated a piece of art designed specifically for this project. Contributing artists included well-known international artists as well as local emerging artists, all of whom were recruited to bring a diverse range of styles to the doorsteps of youth.

We designed the workbook with the intent of providing therapeutic relief to both children and their families. Activities included within offer many opportunities for youth to utilize the art supplies provided in their kits, as well as movement exercises and mindfulness practices to strengthen confidence and help manage anxiety. Fun facts, jokes, and riddles are also interspersed throughout the workbook to make the experience fun and engaging. We imagine these art kits as more than just a package of art supplies, but a gift that provides hours of entertainment, mental health support, and a positive, creative wellspring of imagination and hope.