Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona has received a $100,000 grant from the Arizona Lottery to support its trauma-informed arts programming for youth across the state. The funding aims to help transform trauma into resilience by enabling 600 interactions between young participants and trained mentors or performing artists.
Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery, stated, “The Arizona Lottery is honored to support organizations like Free Arts that are creating real and lasting change for children in our state. Programs like these not only help young people heal and build confidence, they strengthen the very fabric of our communities. When you play, Arizona truly wins.”
The grant will fund four key programs at Free Arts: the Performing Artist Series, Weekly Mentor Program, Free Art Days, and Camps. These initiatives focus on building resilience through recurring experiences with trauma-informed mentors and artists. Each interaction is designed to last one to three hours over several weeks.
Free Arts serves children and young adults aged 3–24 who have experienced abuse, neglect, or homelessness—many living in group homes or foster care. The organization partners with 40 social service agencies at 120 sites statewide, including locations in Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, and Tucson.
Matt Sandoval, CEO of Free Arts, said: “The trauma these young people face often leaves deep emotional scars. With this grant from the Arizona Lottery, we can deepen our impact and provide safe, healing spaces where children connect, create, and begin to reclaim their stories through art and consistent support from trusted adults.”
Data from recent programs indicate positive outcomes: nearly 86% of youth reported improved well-being; about 90% gained new coping skills; almost 88% noted more trusted adults in their lives; and just over 88% felt safer.
Arizona currently has close to 9,200 children in its foster care system. The need for services that build resilience among vulnerable youth remains significant.
The Arizona Lottery supports various community initiatives focused on education, economic development, environmental conservation, health care services—and projects like those offered by Free Arts that uplift vulnerable Arizonans. More information about these efforts is available at ArizonaLottery.com/GivesBack.
Founded in 1993 as a nonprofit organization based in Maricopa County,Free Arts annually serves more than 7,000 children through creative programs delivered by volunteer mentors and artists in partnership with dozens of social service agencies statewide.
