News
Grant Funds Expansion For Amanda's Easel
By Caitlin Stolzenthaler
WEST KEANSBURG - For the past 10 years, Amanda's Easel was a single-room, creative arts therapy center where child victims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse could come to paint and draw the way they felt.
Today, they can also dance and play out their feelings, thanks to a $450,000 grant that allowed the nonprofit agency, part of 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc., to purchase the neighboring storefront and to add dance/movement and play therapy rooms.
"We were hoping and wishing for [this grant] for a very long time," said Cindi Westendorf, program coordinator for Amanda's Easel, at the newly renovated program's unveiling on Thursday. "[Now] we can not only serve more families, but we can increase the range of services they can receive for a longer time."
The grant, from Peace a Learned Solution (PALS), was facilitated by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.
"It is satisfying when the state advances in any area, particularly one in which children and parents in need are able to obtain assistance. This progression will continue through the utilization of this newly renovated facility," read a prepared statement sent by Corzine.
Amanda's Easel, part of 180 Turning Lives Around Inc.'s non-profit efforts in Monmouth County to serve the needs of those facing domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other issues, is named for Amanda Wengert, a Manalapan girl who was slain by a neighbor in 1994 at the age of six.
Wengert's mother and grandfather spoke at the unveiling.
"This is wonderful," said Bill Thomas, Wengert's grandfather. "I'm very proud to be a part of it."
"I know how proud Amanda would be to see how much Amanda's Easel has grown," said her mom, Karen Wengert.
Once, families used to wait out in their cars due to lack of waiting-room space.
Now, a comfortable waiting room with blue chairs eliminates that issue. A play- therapy room boasts "sand therapy," where kids place figurines in a sandbox, an activity that reveals much about their feelings.
A dance room, equipped with a stereo, a rainbow of colored swatches of fabric on the wall, and interlocking floor mats will further help children express themselves more deeply.
The original art therapy room remains, stocked with new art supplies and a pond wall mural thanks to the efforts of Henry Hudson High School students.
"It's nice to help kids like us... kids that just needed help," said Henry Hudson student Cassandra Tay,17. She and fellow students were impressed after a 180 representative came and explained the organization's mission at the school in November, and wanted to help out in some way.
During the school year, ten students held a drive to collect art and cleaning supplies for Amanda's Easel, and took a day to spruce up the therapy room and paint the mural.
The grant will also benefit additional Amanda's Easel locations in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Hazlet, 180's Shelter and the Transitional Housing Program. Westendorf expressed excitement over the expansion.
"The more services you can provide families, the better their chances are for a healthy life, " she said.
"There are healthy kids in situations they can't control... this kind of support for them is crucial," Westendorf said.
