Giving Back

The goal of Elephant Heart Charitable Works is to bring about a sense of nurturance and compassion to those who are struggling with life’s various challenges through the visual arts. Paintings, prints and books are accessible in areas where they can reach those in need of comfort and healing.

Books, framed prints and/or paintings continue to be donated to the recipients listed below:

Team Rafiki

Africa
Team Rafiki brings practical assistance, education, hope, and positive change in national and international communities such as Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Uganda, Africa. Community members help accomplish the joint initiatives when planning and executing the changes they wish to see. Raising global awareness of the serious situations that lead to a failure to thrive is also an ongoing component of Team Rafiki’s work.

Books and prints have been sent to Africa to bring comfort and stimulate discussion to help women open up to us about their needs.

The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center of Albany Medical Center

Albany, NY
The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center of Albany Medical Center is one of the only centers of its kind in New York State. The center is exclusively devoted to treating Parkinson’s disease, tremor, and dystonia, as well as other movement disorders. The original painting entitled, This is Who I Am, 2010 is currently installed to thank Director Eric Molho, his nurses and staff, for all they do to provide comfort and support for those with dystonia and other movement disorders. Books are available for patients to view as well.

Albany Medical Center’s Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders

Albany, NY
The Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders is the only one of
its kind in the region helping patients and families in the most difficult of times. It is

the Capital Region’s only provider of care to children and adolescents with cancer and with a wide variety of disorders of the blood. The original painting Lukestrong is installed and created in memory of Lucas Romano who inspired many because of his perseverance, generosity and courage during his courageous seven-year battle with Leukemia. He was determined to never let the disease control his life. Framed prints are installed in the treatment area and books are available to support those in need.

SAFE, Inc.

Schenectady, New York
Provides emergency shelter and counseling for the homeless, runaways and throw-away youth who are at risk of being exploited. SAFE House is being filled with books and framed prints. Over a dozen framed prints have been installed to date.

Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center, Saratoga Hospital

Saratoga, New York
The original painting entitled Saratoga Beauty Too, 2007 is installed at this location to inspire strength and courage. Books are available for patients to view as well.

Ellis Hospital Outpatient Mental Health Clinic and Continuing Day Program

The focus of the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is on the long term goal of living safely and productively in the community with such illnesses as: Depression, Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression), thought disorders such as Schizophrenia, and long-standing struggles with hopelessness and despair. Co-occurring alcohol and chemical dependency issues are also addressed. Therapy includes individual and group treatment and psycho-education.

A gallery of The Woman with the Elephant Heart prints and one original painting welcomes clients to the downstairs clinic. The theme, path to recovery, is the collaboration between clinic personnel, clients and artist to help create a visually healing environment.

Ellis Hospital Trauma Recovery Program

The Woman with the Elephant Heart books and over sixteen framed prints are installed in the Trauma Recovery Program treatment rooms located in the upper level of the Ellis Hospital Outpatient Mental Health Clinic and Continuing Day Program. The book The Woman with the Elephant Heart has inspired some healing work with clients.

Community Hospice of Albany

Albany, New York
The Community Hospice is a network of committed professionals and volunteers who bring dignity, comfort and compassion to people in the later stage of life’s journey. Framed prints are installed and books are available to support those in need at the Community Hospice building. The Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany, NY is filled with framed prints as well.

Haven Grief Counseling Center

Schenectady, New York
Haven’s philosophy, centers around the experience of grief as an inner journey, involving a gradual understanding of what a particular loss means to each individual. Clients make long term adaptations to life without the loved one or friend – whether the loss is through death, divorce or separation.

Framed prints are installed and books are available to support those in need.

Riverview Cancer Care, New York Oncology Hematology

Rexford, New York
A convenient and comfortable alternative to long-distance healthcare is provided close to the home. Framed prints are installed in the treatment area and books are available to support those in need.

Albany Medical Center’s Pulmonary Medicine

Albany, NY
Comprehensive consultation, diagnostic evaluation and clinical management is provided for a full spectrum of respiratory and pulmonary disorders including cystic fibrosis.

The original painting entitled, You Touch my Heart, 2007, is currently installed to thank doctors, nurses and staff, for all they do to provide hope and care for those with cystic fibrosis. Books are available for patients to view as well.

American Dystonia Society

Princeton Junction, New Jersey
American Dystonia Society is a non-profit chairtable organization dedicated to advancing Dystonia research, promoting patient advocacy and increasing public awareness of this debilitating disease.

The logo, Who I Am, has been created for the American Dystonia Society. The original painting, Who I am, 2009 is housed at The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center of Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York.

Niskayuna Central Schools

Niskayuna, New York
Niskayuna school district serves a diverse community that is united in a common commitment to youth and excellence in education. The district mission is to empower each individual to make responsible choices, meet challenges, achieve personal success, and contribute to a global society.

With appreciation for creating an environment where a disabled teacher can have success and grow, laminated posters of The Path to Recovery have been donated to the eight counseling centers in the district.

Ophelia’s Place

Liverpool, New York
Ophelia’s Place is a non-profit organization committed to empowering individuals, families, and communities to redefine beauty and health through initiatives that increase self-esteem, improve body image and introduce alternatives to dangerous desires for perfection; and to providing outreach, advocacy and educational services to those impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating and body dissatisfaction.

Framed prints are displayed and books are available to support those in need.

Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

Albany, New York
The Stratton VA Medical Center provides specialized medical services such as: cardiac catheterization, cardiac rehabilitation, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, stereotactic radio surgery, hospice/palliative care, adult day health care, post-traumatic stress disorder, compensated work therapy, memory clinic, geriatric assessment, nursing home and respite care.

Path to Recovery prints have been donated to veterans who need ongoing support.