Health Education Through Art (HEArt)
The primary goal of Health Education through Art (HEArt) is to educate students about complex health issues and empower them to make healthy decisions. HEArt’s curriculum, “Healthy Lifestyles for Youth,” helps students understand critical health concepts and increase their sense of self-efficacy to advocate for the changes they want to see in themselves and in their communities. A strong sense of self-efficacy leads youth to set higher goals for themselves, to persevere in the face of challenges, and to change their behavioral habits to lead healthier lives. Through leadership opportunities, HEArt develops teens’ self-efficacy.
HEArt employs a culturally and socioeconomically diverse team of arts educators, professional guest artists, and teen art interns. MMAP hires teen art interns from the communities it serves, and these teens have demonstrated excellence and leadership to serve as positive role models who can connect with youth. MMAP staff develop close relationships with youth, ensuring that these youth feel valued and know that other people care about their success.
Students learn to collaborate with others in their community to create solutions to the issues they face. The MMAP blog is a key component of documenting program activities and advocacy campaigns. HEArt utilizes innovative web and video technology to further its impact and outreach.
Locations & times:
East Palo Alto
- 49ers Academy: Tuesday/Thursday, 4:00pm-6:30pm
- McNair Middle School: Wednesday, 2:30pm-5:30pm
- East Palo Alto Academy Monday, 3:30pm-4:30pm; Wednesday, 12:30-2:30pm
San Francisco
- International Studies Academy
- Starr King Elementary
- Downtown High School
Sarah Woodward
HEArt Coordinator
Sarah Woodward is a painter and will be the coordinator for the Health Education Through Art Program (HEArt). She graduated from Stanford University in March 2009 with a major in Psychology and minor in Studio Art. Born and raised in New Orleans, her passion for the arts is rooted in the spirit of her hometown. In high school, she attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with coursework in drawing, painting, computer graphics, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics and photography. In 2007, Sarah created a large public art installation on Stanford's campus dedicated to raising awareness about Hurricane Katrina. She later worked with an art therapist in New Orleans to help kids affected by the storm cope with their struggles. At Stanford, she worked with the Student Organizing Committee for the Arts to establish gallery spaces promoting artistic expression and the role of artists in beautifying spaces. With MMAP, Sarah coordinated a mural-making event to connect Stanford students to the East Palo Alto community. Sarah is pursuing a career in art education and art therapy with MMAP and is interested in the realm of public art as a tool for social change. Sarah was the valedictorian of her academic high school and a member of the Stanford chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Her interests in art, education and psychology led to her involvement with MMAP.
