My experience at Art and Soul has been more than just an introduction to the field of art therapy. Over the past few months I have made new friends and gained a family within their community. Further, I think that the clients have taught me just as much, if not more, than I have taught them. Working with this group of homeless individuals has changed my perception on life as a whole. I have always been a person driven to succeed and motivated to earn money and advance my social status. However, being around those far less fortunate than myself has changed my stance on material possessions and made me far more grateful for the things I have. I see their happiness despite their situation and feel that I need to be less concerned with materialism and social status because they have shown me that happiness comes from things much more valuable than material possessions.
I hope that in some way I have touched their lives because I know that they have touched mine. I plan to continue working at Art and Soul despite the end of my service learning and hope that my time there will further my personal growth.
