72_Art, Mentors, And Meaning: Matt Sandoval On Supporting Vulnerable Kids Normalize PTSD podcast

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72_Art, Mentors, and Meaning: Matt Sandoval on Supporting Vulnerable Kids

3d ago 48:19

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Matt Sandoval is the CEO of Free Arts, a nonprofit organization in Arizona that provides trauma-informed expressive arts programs for children, teens, and families who have experienced abuse, neglect, or homelessness.

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Matt Sandoval is the spirited CEO of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, where he channels his big heart and creative zest into helping kids heal from trauma through art and mentorship. An Arizona native with a knack for storytelling, he’s spent over 15 years leading nonprofits, wielding his Master’s degrees in Social Work and Educational Leadership like a superhero’s cape. Whether he’s hosting the Canvas of the Heart podcast, sharing wisdom on LinkedIn, or reminiscing about his dad’s days as a Phoenix police officer, Matt’s infectious passion for resilience and self-compassion lights up every room—proving that even in tough times, a splash of art and a dose of kindness can work wonders!

I do not have an artistic bone in my entire body, but this was a great episode. I had the pleasure to chat with Matt Sandoval, the CEO of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, who shares how art and mentorship work magic to build resilience in kids facing trauma. With humor and heart, Matt, an Arizona native shaped by his police officer father’s career and family challenges, dives into Free Arts’ mission to serve over 7,000 kids annually with trauma-informed programs, emphasizing the mantra “no mistakes in art.” From group mentoring to rigorous volunteer vetting, he explains how creative expression fosters safety and self-compassion, drawing parallels to the trauma experiences of veterans and first responders. Touching on systemic issues like poverty and his vision for statewide impact, Matt inspires with stories of hope and a call to join the movement.

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