Special Hearts in the Arts is a new nonprofit that has taken off in the Coastal Bend since its inception late last year. Promoting art, music, dance and theater for people with special needs, the organization is in need of donations, volunteers and (fingers crossed!) a home to call its own.
“That’s a next big step in our journey,” said founder Sherri Davis, who teaches theater, dance and communications at St. John Paul II High School. “We want our own building where Special Hearts can perform and share their talent.”
The goal of a new building might once have seemed unreachable, except for the outpouring of support and almost instant success of Davis’s idea for giving special-needs residents an opportunity to express their creativity. It began with a classroom question, sparked by a dream and fully supported by friends and former students.
“Every year, I always ask my students this question: ‘If you could have your own business where you’re helping somebody out, what kind of nonprofit would you create?’” Davis told Corpus Christi Business News.
Her own answer to that question was to develop a theater group for people with special needs. On one particular day during this discussion, she came to a realization.
“I thought, ‘Why do I always say this but never do it? What am I trying to show to my students?” she said. “Later that night, I had a dream, or what I refer to as a vision from God.”
She dreamed of a butterfly princess and a frog on stage. The frog, who was chasing the princess, was a little boy in a wheelchair with frog legs on the wheels that made it look like he was hopping as he rolled across the stage.
“When I woke up, I had this beautiful peace about me, and I decided I was going to do it,” Davis said.
The next step was to share her ideas with colleagues and former students. The first meeting drew 20 supporters, and the program was on its way. When the committee applied for nonprofit status in November 2016, it was warned that approval could take six months to two years. Three weeks later, Special Hearts in the Arts was official.
“As Sherri Davis, I was always used to being the boss and leading all the time,” she said, referring to her 43 years as a teacher. “But once I realized this was a ‘God-led’ and not a ‘Sherri-led’ project, things just started falling into place.”
Within just a matter of months, Special Hearts in the Arts was putting smiles of delight on the faces of the constituents it served and the volunteers involved.
“When you are around a ‘special heart,’ you will always be smiling,” Davis said. “In fact, it’s interesting to observe the transformation of people who feel intimidated at first suddenly have fun and enjoy interacting with special hearts.”
The program has since expanded to include “Lads and Ladies,” which works with troubled youth. After completing the program, those interested often volunteer for Special Hearts.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
You don't have to be an expert on the arts or trained in working with those with special needs to volunteer.
“Basically, there is something to do for anyone who wants to volunteer,” Davis said. “Volunteers can help promote the program, work at fundraisers, help be teachers to different arts, volunteer time to help with program direction, publicity or share on Facebook pages.”
Special Hearts in the Arts is the type of organization where everybody's talent is welcome, agreed committee member Susan Long.
“Come join us and see how you can fit into our puzzle,” she said. “We have room for everybody. Do what you can when you can.”
More information on Special Hearts in the Arts can be found on its website at specialheartsinthearts.com. Donations may be sent to Special Hearts in the Arts, P.O. Box 270114, Corpus Christi, TX 78427.
“We just want the community to sign on and adopt the Special Hearts and support it in any way they can,” Davis said. “In fact, if everyone we knew just gave five dollars each, all of that money can help put together our programming.”