During this Thanksgiving season we say thank you to the artists of BuildaBridge, and many others, who give of themselves in the transitional homes and sheltersof Philadelphia working among the more than 3000 homeless children of the city. Here is a page from Mindy Flexer's journal that typifies their experiences. Illustration by Kari Reed. Additional text by Aleea Slappy.

Just as I was coming to class, Jason's family was sitting in a taxi outside the front door, about to leave. I asked if he had his sketchbook (he had finished it the previous week, after much hard work), and they said no. I asked if they could wait while I got it, and they said that they really had to leave, since they were in a taxi. I ran to the art room, grabbed the sketchbook, and ran back. The taxi was gone, and my heart sank--but then I realized that it was turning around in the parking lot, and when it came back by the front door, I gave Jason the sketchbook through the window. I told him I had really had fun working with him, that I hoped he would have a wonderful time in his new place, and that he could always use the sketchbook to draw in. He looked sad about leaving, and said that he had had fun in art class. Then they drove away. This was a sobering experience for me--a reminder of how short and precious our time together is. It also gave me a new understanding of why my students want to rush through everything, why it seems important to do it NOW, and why my counseling them to slow down and do their best doesn't make sense to them."

Ten-year-old Jason (not his real name) can only draw places that he only dreams about. He lives temporarily in a confidential place that shelters women and families from abuse. Moving from location to location to escape family violence has traumatic effects on children, mothers, and even the artists who seek to provide hope and healing through art. In his sketchbook, Jason made with the help of BuildaBridge teaching artist Mindy Flexer, Jason can illustrate a place that is comfortable, safe and loving. Although the sketchbook is secretly important to him, it's the least of his families' concerns as they prepare to leave one shelter and move to another. As Jason travels to another temporary new home, he’ll have a piece of comfort with him. The sketchbook gives him a place of hope, no matter where he is.