ART WITH A MISSION, Inc. (AWAM Atlanta) Georgia based 501c3 non-profit is established to help impoverished families and children in need in local communities as well as internationally through the arts. AWAM Atlanta’s main focus has been raising funds through the arts to equip children in need in Haiti who desire to further their education by attending college. New laws have been passed in Haiti which require the children to leave orphanages at the age of 18. With no other means of support for the basic necessities they have little choice but to return to the streets. Our goal is to raise up a heritage of young men and women leaders who plant seeds for positive growth and development in their land.

Our Foundational Scripture Verse:

We are sent by the Lord to bring good news to the afflicted. To bind up the brokenhearted and to set captives free. So that He may be glorified. – Isaiah 61:1-3

HOW WE STARTED

Chris and JoDette DiDomizio were sponsoring Saradjean, a five year old child through New Hope Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. Saradjean lives in an orphanage in Haiti, Maison d’enfant de la foi. It all started in 2009, when they decided to go on a church mission trip to Haiti led by Rhodena Buck who is now AWAM’s Student Liaison They had never been on a mission trip and wondered if artists can be missionaries. Their plan was to use photography skills and teach art. They also took a large canvas with paint materials knowing God’s plan would unfold as they were there. With God’s guidance they unrolled the canvas drew a cross and divided it into 110 sections for the orphans to choose a section and paint whatever was on their heart.

The children painted their favorite colors of bright pink, purple, red and yellow. After three days of painting they rolled it up and brought it home. While preparing the canvas for a church auction the story of orphans began to unfold in the painting. The light and love on the cross represented the children in the orphanage contrasted by the darkness in the surrounding city.

Chris and JoDette began adding touches of color with gold leaf and a scripture verse to the painting. The painting was auctioned at the church fundraiser and sold for $2700. The funds received went toward orphans in Thailand who needed a truck to carry food, medicine and equipment.“Pay it Forward” with orphans in Haiti giving to orphans in Thailand happened.

God continues to lead as they started a 501c3 with their first art fundraiser with $25,000.