Service Spotlight: Arts for All

The Smile Project continues to connect me to amazing young people all around the world, though this one is a bit closer to home in New Jersey. Meet Amber Wang, the founder of Arts for All, an incredible group working to improve wellbeing, one craft and one positive interaction at a time.

Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give me a Happiness is.

Amber: Happiness is.. uniting a community to create change.

Liz: Tell me about Arts for All.

Amber: I’ve been volunteering for New Bridge Medical Center, my local hospital, since 2022. working with long term care patients who are in need of assisted living. I spent most of my time talking to patients, but one day I made bracelets for the patients, and was surprised at how much these gifts uplifted their moods. Many of the patients still keep the bracelets with them, even after years. I wanted to bring smiles to more patients and involve more people who had a passion for making bracelets. Soon, more forms of art joined (singing, painting, crochet) and we’ve had the mission ever since then of enhancing patients’ mental health through art. 

Liz: What does service mean to you? 

Amber: To me, service means using your passions, talents, or hobbies to benefit others. It also means bringing people together in the community to make a positive difference. 

Liz: How can people get involved? 

Amber: Our insta page is: @artsforall__. Our website is: https://wanga262.wixsite.com/artsforall. We are always looking for more volunteers who are interested in art and people who want to start a chapter of Arts for All near them!

Liz: Anything else you’d like to add? 

Amber: Don’t be afraid to do what you love and what’s right, no matter what others say or think. 

Liz: Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to leave us with?

Amber: My favorite quote is a Chinese proverb that says “Do not fail to do good, however small it may seem.” Arts for All was started based on our love for doing the small deeds: donating a single bracelet. However, even one smile makes it all worth it. And from what we’ve accomplished, the small deeds can build up to bigger changes!