Civic Duty and the Omidi Brothers Join Smiles Through Art to Offer Help for the Children of Afghanistan
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 11, 2013 -- Civic Duty and its co-founders Dr. Michael Omidi and his brother Julian Omidi, are proud about their recent support of Smiles through Art, a new California nonprofit organization that creates arts programs for hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the United States, as well as in developing and war-torn countries around the world including Afghanistan. Smiles Through Art was formed to make a difference in the lives of those afflicted with cancer, other illnesses and medical conditions, especially children, and giving them a voice through art.
Fewer countries in the world have seen the rapid deterioration and destruction of their medical infrastructure as Afghanistan. Decades of war have ravaged hospitals and care centers throughout the troubled mountainous country. The primary victims have been the women and children of Afghanistan. As medical organizations worldwide are working to provide relief to Afghan war victims in the form of doctors, medicines and medical supplies, Smiles Through Art will work closely with doctors, healthcare administrators and emergency aid volunteers using art and design as a tool in the healing process.
Smiles Through Art is now creating and supporting art projects in hospitals and healthcare institutions all over the world – including Mexico, Afghanistan and other countries where the need is greatest. On Saturday June 1, 2013, Smiles Through Art founder and executive director Sharon Persovski spoke in Los Angeles at an informational forum hosted by Operation Doctors for Afghanistan. In attendance were Afghan Prince Ali as well as former Afghan Senator B. Amin Zay and other dignitaries, politicians and doctors. Ms. Persovski presented her vision of healing through an arts and design based program to be implemented in Afghanistan.
Ms. Persovski explained the importance of including environmental design as a critical aspect of health and wellness. “The physical environment has a significant impact on reducing stress on patients and caregivers, and improving health outcomes, increasing the overall quality of care and effectiveness.”
The presentation also explained the differences between the quality of healthcare experiences with children in Afghanistan in contrast with the United States. “We have found that children become engaged in creating art as a means of expression and that helps them reduce anxiety levels. We believe this process would be extremely effective in Afghanistan, where the children have an acute need for relief from stresses and strains of everyday life that affect the healing process,” Persovski said.
Civic Duty is proud to support Smiles Through Art and helping to develop projects for hospitals in Afghanistan in association with Prince Ali and Operation Doctors for Afghanistan.
Civic Duty (http://www.civicduty.org) is dedicated to mankind’s search for meaning and promotes the values of its founders, philanthropists Julian Omidi and his brother Michael Omidi, MD. The charity’s mission is to inspire creative outreach, community service, and volunteerism through the stories of every-day people who are making an extraordinary difference in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow men.” To get involved and help make a difference, send us a message using the website’s Contact Us function. More information about Civic Duty can be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and Twitter.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact - Sharon Persovski
Smiles Through Art
Email: spersovski(at)aol(dot)com
Website: http://www.smilesthroughart.blogspot.com
Smiles through Art was founded by Sharon Persovski, a graphic an environmental designer with a passion for community development through art and design. Persovski, who has multitudes of experience in the design of large scale international projects – from shopping malls in Japan, Singapore and Mexico to luxury spas and hotels in Las Vegas and China, has decided to put her many years as an accomplished environmental designer to work -- helping those in great need. The organization helps people suffering from degenerative illnesses explore different avenues of emotional healing. Adults and children in particular are allowed to use their creative instincts to help navigate their fears and anxieties about their illnesses in a way that expands their horizons.
Persovski is an advocate of using environmental design as a process for positive impact on people’s health. She believes that physical environment has a significant effect on reducing stress for both patients and caregivers, increasing the overall quality of care, and most importantly improving health outcomes. Smiles through Art works closely with doctors, healthcare administrators, and emergency aid workers to develop art projects in hospitals and healthcare institutions around the world, not only in the United States, but in other countries including such as Mexico and Afghanistan.
Media Relations, Civic Duty, http://www.civicduty.org, 855-330-5600, [email protected]
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