Letter From The Executive Director May

What does a stronger community look like? Sometimes, it looks like 30 artists gathered around tables with blue-dyed hands, laughter in the air, and purpose in every brushstroke. Sometimes, it looks like neighbors cheering at Evening at the Races. Sometimes, it looks like you deciding to show up. 

At We Care Arts, healing and hope are rarely quiet. They are colorful, collaborative, and created together. 

Last month, through our Visiting Artist program, about 30 artist-clients began a five-panel art installation for the Foodbank. Inspired by words shared from the Dayton Foodbank community, words like helpful, lifeline, free food, and support, our artists transformed muslin fabric into shades of blue that will become a series of hands reaching upward in strength and care. 

This month, the Dayton Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Dayton Class of 2026 will continue the project by painting vibrant panels of fruits and vegetables that those hands will hold. Different groups. Different moments. One shared purpose. 

That is how communities grow stronger.
     One person helps. 
         Another joins. 
             Then another. 
                  And suddenly, hope has momentum. 

We saw that same spirit at Evening at the Races, where longtime friends, new supporters, business sponsors, families, and advocates came together for an evening of joy with real impact. Every laugh shared, every bid placed, every ticket purchased helps keep our classes available for the people we serve who, just like us, deserve access to empowering their healing, a sense of dignity, and belonging. 

Showing up changes things. It says “I want to help build this kind of community” in a way that is meaningful to you. 

• Showing up can mean volunteering your time and talent. 
• Showing up can mean attending events and bringing friends. 
• Showing up can mean becoming a monthly donor who walks beside us, and our artists, every step of the way. 

So, today, if you haven’t already marked your calendar our next event is Arts & Jazz on July 25th, we need volunteers, sponsors, and attendees.  And of course, if you are not yet a monthly donor, I invite you to join us with a gift of $10 which helps provide materials. $20 which helps support a class experience. $50 which helps sustain meaningful programming. $100 which helps fuel healing, creativity, and connection on a deeper level. 

Here is the simple truth: meaningful change is rarely one grand gesture or one event. More often, it is a steady kindness repeated over time where showing up matters. You matter. Those we serve matter and our community matters! 

With grateful (sometime blue-dyed) hands and a hopeful heart for the community we are building together,