Play, Heal, Grow: Southern CA Disaster Relief Project

Play, Heal, Grow: Disaster Relief Project is back, and this time we are here to help serve the Southern CA community impacted by the devastating and ongoing wildfire. With your help, we were able to raise over $1100.00 through GoFundMe and delivered more than 1000+ items, including art supplies, play therapy supplies, books, and comfort items to those impacted by Hurricane Helene and associated flooding. Our disaster relief project focuses on delivering essential items to help support emotional and mental health.

Who we are: I am a child and family therapist/play therapist with Olympia Therapy in Bellevue. We have partnered with Eastside Play Therapy, Ohana Behavioral Health, and other play therapy colleagues across the US to launch another Disaster Relief Project. This project aims to support youth and families, and our mental health colleagues that are impacted by the Southern California fires. This disaster is widespread, ongoing, and has left so many youth and families in need of basic supplies, comfort items, and emotional and mental health support.

This will be our 3rd time running this project as we did a similar disaster relief project for the 2023 Maui Fires and for Hurricane Helene and Milton in 2024, especially in WNC.

We have teamed up with play therapists and youth development professionals in Southern California to deliver supplies to frontline mental health therapists, community agencies, and shelters.

We know that physical recovery is just one piece of the puzzle which will take years - children and families are also grappling with the trauma of displacement and loss. That’s why we are committed to providing disaster mental health care, including play therapy and art therapy supplies, sensory-based supplies, and comfort items to help children process their emotions and begin to heal.

Your donation will provide immediate relief and bring comfort to those who need it most. For mental health professionals, your contributions can make a direct and lasting impact. We are raising funds to supply therapists on the ground with the tools they need to support the emotional well-being of youth and families in crisis, such as art supplies, play therapy kits, and counseling resources. We are working on making comfort bags for youth. Each dollar donated will be used to provide trauma-informed care for children and families who are struggling to make sense of these disasters. By supporting this project, you can help bring both physical relief and emotional healing to families. Every donation counts, and with your help, we can bring hope and healing to these communities.

You can also help by sharing this link with friends, family, and colleagues. Thanks in advance for helping this world shine brighter. Together we make a difference!