Leah Bernthal

Co-founder
What do you love about CoachArt? What makes CoachArt special is that it is a vehicle for 3 different groups of people to better their lives - donors and sponsors make an exaggerated impact with their resources; coaches are rewarded with the best experiences they'll ever have doing what they'll do best; and, most importantly the kids who are most in need are given opportunity to not only feel healthy and normal but to feel empowered and alive. What is your favorite CoachArt program and why? As a founder, CoachArt is like my child - its virtually impossible to choose a favorite attribute. However, I suppose my Favorite program is the outpatient program because it gives kids and coaches the opportunity to intersect with people they'd never otherwise encounter in a deep and meaningful way, and to create bonds that last a lifetime.

Devika Bhatia

Mentor Youth Coordinator
What do you love about CoachArt? I love that CoachArt is a two way beneficial program. The students get something and the volunteers and staff get something too. From the volunteer and staff perspective my students taught me and I became part of the family volunteering with them. the children get the same level of expeirence because the kids I mentored asked if I were coming back each day and they see the mentors as fixtures in their life. It's a special experience. What is your favorite CoachArt program and why? My favorite program is outpatient mentoring which is the cornerstone of what CoachArt is about. Through prolonged exposure the kids are able to have positive consistency in their life. I love that we're able to provide this level of consistency verses the frequent doctor and hospital visits. CoachArt makes kids feel special rather than different.

Thyonne Gordon

Executive Director
What do you love about CoachArt? What is there not to love about CoachArt?! The programs, the Community of Care, our Corporate Permission to Play campaign, excited students, dedicated staff, inspiring volunteers and an impressive list of individual, corporate and foundation donors to keep the program humming. But mostly, I love that this program gives back long after the doors close. When a mentor shares the gift of the arts or athletics with a youth, they keep that feeling in their heart and the child keeps the gift in their spirit able to access it whenever there's a need to take their minds off the pain & isolation associated with chronic illness. What is your favorite CoachArt program and why? Our Activity Clinics allow volunteers and students the flexibility to have a "taste of CoachArt". Volunteers create learning opportunities that work with their teaching style and their schedule and then share with a group of youth this lesson. Youth get to try out the activity before committing to a long term mentorship. For youth returning from an isolated hospital stay, it's a great way reengage and socialize. And for CoachArt it's a great way to match more students with caring adults.

Lori Schulman

Interm Deputy Director
What do you love about CoachArt? I love that CoachArt gives children who spend so much of their time with doctors and in hospitals the chance to participate in every day activities just like their friends would. I also love that it includes their often overlooked siblings. What is your favorit CoachArt program and why? My favorite CoachArt program is Camp CoachArt. In its' inaugural year this camp figured out a way to include everybody regardless of accommodations that had to be made to support their diagnosis. The kids not only got to fully participate in a camp but had the opportunity to participate in activities most kids only dream of like glassblowing, Dreamworks animation and circus activities.