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How Are We Spreading Awareness

St. Susanna's Faith Formation Lenten Service Project

The Faith Formation Program at St Susanna’s Parish in Dedham, MA chose Arts for USH as the recipient of their Lenten Service Project this year. In early March, the children in grades 1-5 participated in an empathy-building art party. Jan Weinshanker, one of the founders of Arts for USH, introduced the children to Usher Syndrome, the leading genetic cause of combined deafness and blindness in children and adults. She led them through an interactive experience that helped to build understanding and empathy for those who live with this condition. The children were then given art supplies and asked to draw or write about the emotions that they experienced during this event.

The children’s artwork was then transferred onto cookies provided by Wicked Good Cookies (Boyston, MA) and these cookies were sold following each of the masses of the 3/25 weekend to the congregation of St Susanna’s. Their generous donations went directly to the Arts for USH Shine a Light on Usher Syndrome campaign which has a goal of raising awareness and funds for Usher Syndrome to work toward new treatments and, ultimately, a cure.