Personal Impact Stories

At Beech Brook, we know that healing isn’t just about safety and stability—it’s also about joy, creativity, and the chance to experience the same milestones as other children. Recently, Karen Noisette (Foster Care Wraparound Specialist), alongside Brooke Fassnacht (Wraparound Worker), put this belief into action with a special art project for kids in foster care.

Using their own supplies, they set up a space filled with options: painting on canvas, ironing designs onto t-shirts, fingerpainting, and even creating a miniature vending machine that dispensed mini Skittles.

The children could choose their own project, explore their creativity, and walk away with something that was uniquely theirs.

For one four-year-old, this was a completely new experience. He had never used fingerpaint before and was nervous to try—afraid he might get in trouble for making a mess. By the end of the day, his hands were covered in color, his smile wide with pride. Moments like this are simple on the surface, but deeply powerful for the children we serve.

As Karen explained: “Children are more than their case files. Each has something beautiful to express. These projects are more than crafts—they’re reminders of resilience, hope, and the capacity every child has to dream.”

This project is just one example of how Beech Brook staff go above and beyond—making sure children in our care don’t just feel safe, but also feel like kids.