New Wave Christian Church is helping young people heal and thrive through its Expressive Arts Therapy (EAT) program. One powerful example is the story of “A,” a teenager navigating the emotional toll of divorce and two newly blended families. With no cost to her family, A began attending EAT, where she finally found a safe space to process her emotions and let go of the pressure to always be the “peacemaker.”
Through journaling, singing, and songwriting, A found her voice—both emotionally and musically. She learned to play guitar, discovered a natural talent for singing, and built healthy, non-medicinal coping tools to manage her anxiety. Today, A sings and plays on her church’s praise team, using music as both expression and empowerment.
Even more inspiring, A now serves as a peer mentor to another teen in the program, meeting weekly to teach him guitar and offer encouragement. This ripple effect of healing and growth is exactly what Live Well’s grant funding was designed to support—real impact, one life at a time.