Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Hiciano.
Elizabeth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
“She believed that she could change the world so she became an art teacher.” Many children in our community know me as “Ms.Lizzy”. I am a local Miami-Dade Creative Arts teacher and Early Childhood Educator. This past year, I took my leap of faith, jumping in with everything I had! I left my art class/full-time job and my comfort zone to dedicate myself to this special calling in order to pour all of my heart into this special project, that once started in my art class; inspired by my student who was affected by pediatric cancer. I didn’t know where my heart was taking me but all I knew was that February 14th 2017, was the beginning of something beautiful. After one of my students shared her story with me, I decided to do an art project with my students that would encourage them to be empathetic, caring, responsible citizens and encourage them to be young philanthropist in our community. As an assignment, we decided to design tote bags and fill them with art materials for patients at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Along with the bags, I decided that I wanted to something, not only for the patients but for their siblings who are most of the time forgotten, while their brother or sister are in the process of receiving treatment. So, I hosted a family paint night which shortly became our signature family heART event. What I thought would be a one time thing, blossomed into Jar of heARTS, literally overnight, thanks to my friends on Facebook who donated towards our GoFund me.
In a span of a couple weeks, we had officially become a registered 501(c)(3) and established relationships with children’s hospitals such as Nicklaus, Baptist, Holtz, Sylvester’s Alex’s Place, St.Judes and The Ronald Mcdonald House.
On our 4th month, The Miami Marlins surprised us by helping breath life into #theheARTbagproject. The Marlins Ayudan helped paint, pack and deliver 180 heART bags to Alex’s Place, Holtz Childrens Hospital and Jackson’s PPEC. Then, the Marlins better halves chose us as their beneficiary for their annual Tackle Box auction, raising $5,100!
With the help from our community donating their time, talent and treasure and our loving partners (The Miami Marlins, Phil Fung Studios, NBDG.CO, PereGonza Law, Live Like Bella, Marketing Clique and Gymboree Play and Music of Coral Gables, Kendall and Palmetto Bay) we were able to bring a splash of color to local pediatric cancer units by hosting a signature family heART event every month in our first year, host our first Annual heART BASEL event with the talented artist Hermes Berrio at Nicklaus and deliver a total of 530 heART bags!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As crazy as it seems, It’s actually been a smooth road so far. I always say ” God doesn’t put us where we want to be, he puts us where we need to be”. We have received so much love and support from affected children, families, friends,nurses, the Child Life departments as well as Instagram followers that they themselves have created a large heart beat that has pumped life into all of our projects and event to make sure that they are successful.
The only true challenge I sometimes encounter is that, when I meet other CEO’s or Presidents they find it hard to believe that I am the Founder of Jar of heARTS because I look really young. But, after seeing all of Jar of heARTS accomplishments and quality of work in such a short time, they can’t help it but to smile and say “WOW! THAT’S AWESOME!!!
Please tell us about Jar of heARTS.
Jar of heARTS is a local non profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping children overcome trauma through creative expression.
We are citizens of the world who believe in the power of art and love. We encompass the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the heart of the child and represent Love; a virtue representing human kindness, compassion and affection.We serve children in our community who have been affected by trauma such as:
– Serious illness
– Homelessness
– Natural disasters
– Abuse/Neglect
– Traumatic loss
– Accidents
Everything that we do… we do it with love! We are known for making an impact in our community by nourishing children’s hearts through our art programs: signature family heART events,#theheARTbagproject, and our visiting artist program!
Our signature heART event is a very special event where siblings, best friends and family are invited for an afternoon of creative expression with patients. These events promote visitation and serve as a relaxing escape of hospital bedrooms for patients and their families! During these intimate events, participants receive a heart balloon and a special heART bag.
The heART Bag Project- a community service art project where students paint and pack bags. Each heART bag is made with love and includes art materials such as crayons, color pencils, coloring books, watercolors and other comfort items to help ease their chemo treatment and hospital stay. Each bag is then tied to a heart balloon. Jar of heARTS believes that balloons have a magical way of lifting a child’s spirit.
Visiting Artist program- In partnership with Miami’s talented visual and performing artist from Wynwood, local artist are inspired to visit patients to create a collaborative work of art that will be then exhibited at our annual art walk at local children’s hospital near you!
One thing that I am the most proud of, is being recognized as a proud partner of the Miami Marlins!!!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
In life, all you need is – passion, patience and perseverance.
Contact Info:
- Address: 13040 SW 6th street
Miami, FL 33184 - Website: www.JarofheARTSfoundation.org
- Phone: 305.335.5285
- Email: info@JarofheARTSfoundation.org
- Instagram: @JarofheARTSorg
- Facebook: @Jarofheartsorg
Image Credit:
Cato Cataldo
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
