At KidsPeace, healing often begins in unexpected places – even in a tray of sand. Thanks to the KidsPeace Senior Leadership Team Vision Award, children in our PA Residential Program has greater access to sand tray therapy, a unique expressive therapeutic tool in which children use sand and miniature objects to create scenes, giving them a safe and creative way to explore feelings, process experiences, and express what words often cannot capture.
For those that have faced trauma or struggle with communication, the sand tray becomes a bridge of self-awareness, resilience and healing.
With this generous award, the team in our PA Residential Program was able to procure seven portable sand trays and train new associates in using them, both as an introductory tool and as part of evidence-based practices. The result has been transformational.
“Success to me has been seeing youth who struggle with words finally expressing themselves in therapy,” said Jamie Chubb, Director of Clinical Services, PA Residential. “The trays help them express their big feelings and see that change is possible – not only in the sand, but in their lives.”
This form of therapy, while simple, beautifully reflects the KidsPeace mission of giving hope, help, and healing by empowering the children served to process emotions, discover resilience, and envision brighter futures.
We thank the team at PA Residential for their wonderful work and for thinking of innovative ways to support the children we serve!
