Not everyone has access to Mental Health Care and as a result can suffer. Please Help
Join The Scene Drama Works, Inc. in Providing Accessible Workshops & Therapeutic Tools
Additional Info.
Committed to a Healthy Community Culture
The Scene Drama Works, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization committed to providing workshops and services to marginalized communities that equip individuals with tools for mental health and well-being. In today’s environment, mental health services are in high demand but not everyone has access to them and suffer as a result. What if people in marginalized communities had convenient access to mental health and well-being services during times of inner turmoil caused by bullying or social injustices? Could this have prevented individuals from making dangerous choices? What if there were resources available to them that would help them manage challenges and emotional distress in a healthy manner, potentially preventing self-harm? And what if lack of finances didn’t prevent them from having access to tools such as addressing feelings of hopelessness or low self-worth, potentially averting a crisis or death by suicide? Scene Drama Works, Inc. understands that offering mental health & well-being tools and resources regularly and at little to no cost in a safe community setting can profoundly impact the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. Not only do these workshops provide protective measures such as convenient access, healthy resources, and minimal or no cost entry to participate, these workshops are proactive measures taken to prevent crises, enhance self-awareness & personal growth, support phycological & emotional well-being, and foster community bonds. Mental health and well-being are a basic human right that should be available to even the most invisible of us.
How does SDW make a difference?
We make a difference through drama therapy workshops! Our workshops are available to the community where they can express themselves about their challenges by not only talking about it but by telling their stories through improvisations, music, dance & movement, poetry, rap, visual art, photography and more. They can use whatever expressive arts medium that one prefers to use to release, reach catharsis, explore, and aid in their healing. The participant engages in their own healing in the moment in a multi-sensory way that the body remembers. Theater & drama techniques, psychology, and evidenced based practices are combined for powerful healing experiences. Participants leave with therapeutic tools that can be applied to their lives beyond the drama therapy workshops.
What is Drama Therapy?
"Drama therapy is defined as the intentional use of drama and theatre processes to achieve therapeutic goals. Drama therapists provide psychotherapy for individuals living with mental health and behavioral concerns that may result in psychological suffering, impaired relationships, or distress in daily activities. Drama therapy promotes wellness and healing within the context of a therapeutic relationship for individuals of varying ability levels across the lifespan..." Drama therapy is also an active approach that facilitates social, emotional, and cognitive change”. ~NADTA
Working It Out
Evidenced based activities and approaches are used for impactful experiences and personal growth.
Looking Forward with Tools for Change
We do not have to be victims of circumstance when we have the right personal growth and self-care tools to move forward in a healthy way.
Group Support
Participants share stories and experiences of challenges, sorrows, and successes.
Time to Expand
SDW has provided workshops of well-being through other community organizations such as UCLA Arts & Healing, City Hearts, and LA County Parks and Recreation that have contracted us to reach their population. We are grateful for the impactful differences made; however, our awareness and the growing community demand compels us to expand and impact the community directly by providing more workshops that are accessible. An inner life of mental and emotional suffering is just as painful as a physical pain. Just as severely as physical pain can occur, so can emotional pain (MacDonald, & Jensen-Campbell (2011). The expansion will allow us to address the suffering by facilitating workshops right where the people are at little or no cost to the participant. Our start target is the summer of 2024. Simultaneously, we have plans to prepare a safe space of our own to establish ourselves as a trusted pillar in the community - welcoming those in need to utilize the mental health services for their daily well-being. We emphasize the importance of addressing mental suffering before a crisis occurs - and keeping it accessible.
You Can Help
We are reaching out to compassionate individuals and organizations like yours to request support in the form of donations. Your contribution will play a vital role in helping The Scene Drama Works, inc. deliver accessible and impactful workshops of well-being throughout the community while planning for our long-term commitment of providing other beneficial mental health services as well as the impactful workshops.
We have completed phase I and are now in phase 2 of our three-phase strategy (see chart below). However, we need your help to make Phase 2 happen. A budget of $105,000.00 is needed to further reach the community with our workshops that also help with things like reimagining possibilities, self-awareness, mindfulness, and a strong inclusive community culture of good mental health and well-being. Your donations will cover workshop costs that include supplies, therapists, venues, admin, marketing, and more.
This work is so important. Every donation brings us closer to alleviating suffering and closer to turning dreams into reality.
Let’s make this happen!
SDW Action Phases
Share our GoFundme Campaign! Please share with friends, family, neighbors, alumni, acquaintances, co-workers, businesses and beyond. You can share via social media, email, a friendly call or in person over a cup of coffee! Successful fundraising relies on everyone actively sharing the GoFundMe link. Together, we form a compassionate community rich in resources. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of people who might not otherwise have access to services they need.
Behind every single donation is an awesome person like you making a difference.
Thank you for your contributions!
Warmly, & with much appreciation,
Pamela Modeste
MS Behavioral Health Psychology, RDT
Founder, Exec. Director
The Scene Drama Works, Inc.
pam@thescenedramaworks.org