BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer
Above and below are samples of the artwork done by students at Amanda’s Easel, a program devoted to helping children and adults get through turbulent times by expressing themselves through creative means. HAZLET — At the time of Amanda Wengert’s death in 1994, the practice of art therapy was not common. Many child care experts thought the best way for children to express their thoughts was verbally.
When Amanda’s two sisters needed an outlet to express their emotions over her death, an entirely different concept was brought to the forefront.
“Using a nonverbal approach is good for children that are creative,” Cindy Westendorf said. “It helps some kids heal, and it’s better than talking things out in some cases.”
Amanda’s Easel art therapy program was born out of the need for children to show their creative side in an effort to express themselves. The program was launched in 1997, and Westendorf is the program’s coordinator.
“Sometimes kids need an opportunity to show their true emotions, and we have learned that, by creating artwork, the kids are able to exhibit their creative side, and at the same time, their able to heal themselves,” Westendorf said.
Most of the nearly 700 children who have come through the program range in age from 6 to 13. The program is also intended for adults.
“We realize that some parents have a hard time coping as well,” Sue Kozel, a consultant to the program, said. “We have had almost 300 parents participate in our program over the years, and I think that shows we are making a difference.”
For as much of an impact as the program has had, it may become a thing of the past.
“With there being a $5 billion shortfall in the upcoming budget, there’s a chance that the program could become a casualty because there is not enough money to go around,” Kozel said.
Kozel said that she has the support of many local officials, including Sens. Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) and Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth/Mercer), as well as the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
The program has relied upon a yearly operating budget of about $125,000 for the past few years, along with some private donations from the United Way, and even from former New York Mets and current Florida Marlins pitcher Al Leiter, a Toms River native. But without the state aid, it could be tough for the doors to be left open to future attendees of the program.
“We need as much support for this cause as possible,” Kozel said. “Sure, I realize that there are many other programs that need the state aid as much as we do, but I really do think we are deserving of receiving it. We have done so much good in the community, and to now face the possibility of having it taken away is very sad.”
The program also was able to help in the bereavement process during one of the most difficult periods in this country’s history.
“After Sept. 11 occurred, there were a lot of people here in Monmouth County who needed to heal themselves, and through their artwork they were able to do it,” Kozel explained.
Amanda’s Easel, with six locations, including Red Bank, Howell and Brick, along with its main location in Hazlet, is one of many art therapy programs in New Jersey but, according to Kozel, is the only one in the state to win national awards.
Kozel spent much of her time recently in Trenton, trying to make lawmakers understand how important her program is.
“I waited a long time to get my opportunity, along with so many other people who are deserving of money,” Kozel said. “Each one of the people representing their cause is certainly worthy of receiving money again. But with a large budget gap, it’ll be tough. This is a very rough year fiscally.”
“Still, we have plenty of people behind us on this thing. There are plenty of vulnerable people out there that need our help, and the government needs to realize this,” Kozel said.
Kozel also talked about how much the program has grown since its inception eight years ago.
“The talent of the our staff has certainly grown over the years, and the fact that we have helped so many people along the way is really a true testament to the fact that this program should be around for a long time to come. Hopefully, the state government feels the same way,” Kozel said.