During a recent workshop at a foster youth group home, I worked with four girls ages 13-17 who have experienced significant trauma. Many of them have family members impacted by substance use disorder, incarceration, and systemic challenges. These young women often carry heavy emotional burdens and have grown up without consistent validation or examples of self-love.

The workshop, Affirmation Hearts, was designed to help them explore self-esteem and self-worth through art. At first, the room was quiet as they stared at blank paper, unsure of what to write. Slowly, the energy shifted as they began choosing words and phrases that felt empowering: “I am strong,” “I matter,” “I am loved.” They decorated their affirmations with colors and designs that reflected their personalities. Laughter and conversation started to fill the space as they shared their creations with one another.

One girl held up her artwork and said, “I’ve never thought about loving myself before. This feels good.” Another added, “I want to keep this where I can see it every day.” These moments were powerful because they revealed a door opening to a concept many of them had never experienced: self-love. By the end of the session, the girls were not only proud of their art but also of the affirmations they had claimed for themselves.

This workshop reminded me how transformative art can be. For these girls, positive affirmations weren’t just words on paper they were seeds of hope and resilience. Watching them embrace this exercise was a testament to the healing power of creativity and the importance of giving youth tools to nurture their own worth.