How does Susan’s House bring solace and purpose through works of art?
Susan’s House is named after American-Israeli artist Susan Kaplansky who believed deeply in the healing power of art. She dreamed of establishing an art centre for at-risk youth but passed away before her vision could be realised. Her loved ones worked hard to fulfil her vision and in 2002, Susan’s House opened – a warm, nurturing place for vulnerable teenagers where the creation of art has a profound impact.
At Susan’s House, teens learn the skills to create beautiful glass products, ceramics and jewellery. They receive wages for their work and gain so much confidence and self-belief from seeing their work appreciated by customers and sold to be enjoyed by others in the future. A professional and dedicated team of artists, therapists and social workers, together with volunteers, accompany the teens through the various elements of the programme and guide them on how to become independent and engaged members of society.
35 youth between the ages of 15 and 18 are currently employed at Susan’s House and for many of them, it provides the only warm, encouraging environment they know.
In the last 20 years, Susan’s House has helped over 700 at-risk teenagers find value and meaning in their lives and given them the skills to build successful careers in the future.
Every story matters
MEET MICHAL
By the age of 10, Michal had already experienced significant trauma through the loss of her mother. Soon after, it became increasingly clear that her father was not able to look after their family alone and by the age of 16, Michal was living on the streets. The local welfare department referred Michal to Susan’s House.
“I couldn’t find any source of comfort or love and felt like if I died, no one would even know,” she explained. “And then I started working in the glass workshop at Susan’s House.”
Michal was not very proud of the first few pieces she created in the workshop and preferred for her pieces to be destroyed but her therapist thankfully decided otherwise.
“I couldn’t even fathom that someone would spend money to buy something I had created,” Michal said. “And then it suddenly happened, one afternoon, when I noticed a woman discovering my plate and bringing the plate to the front of the store to purchase it.”
Michal approached the woman with excitement, and some trepidation, to tell her that she was the artist.
“Seriously?”, the woman responded, “These are gorgeous! Now I will always remember your face whenever I use these plates in my home!”
That was the moment Michal began to feel like she was worthy- like she was no longer a nobody.
After her release from the army, Michal enrolled at a College of Education, where she recently graduated with a MA in Education and is aiming to work with children with special needs.
