Target contributes to Youth Bridge

Youth Bridge received a $2,000 donation from Target to continue its art therapy program for the girls and boys at its emergency shelters. Youth Bridge depends on a variety of psychotherapy services such as art therapy to create a level of trust and accomplishment among clients. 

Art therapy uses materials such as paint, oil pastels, markers, clay or crayons as a means of self-expression. It is often a solution for a teen that has been in a difficult situation such as divorce, abuse, or violence in the home or has struggled with an addiction or eating disorders.

Creating art can help reduce stress, build social skills and solve behavioral management problems. Many students of art therapy often find that this helps give them a new sense of perspective on their situation.

In addition, the results of clinically managed art therapy programs on average show an overall reduction with anger, anxiety, addictions, depression and other mental health disorders by 30% while showing an increase in self-esteem of 50%. 

Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its profit, which today equals more than $4 million a week to local communities like Northwest Arkansas.