Improving community health and well-being through the arts, culture, and nature.
On January 15, 2024, the Prebys Foundation launched its groundbreaking initiative, Healing Through the Arts and Nature, awarding $5.2 million in grants to 59 nonprofits across San Diego.
These grants will empower programs that serve youth, veterans, justice-impacted individuals, and historically underserved communities. Through innovative approaches, these organizations provide meaningful opportunities to enhance well-being and quality of life in a post-pandemic world.
Services and Programs Provided by Grantees
- Healing Through the Arts program
A Step Beyond’s (ASB) holistic and long-term program design leverages dance education, expressive art therapy, counseling and case management, academic tutoring and college/career supports, and other family services to ensure students complete high school and enter adulthood on a path to achieving their dreams. - Key program offerings
Cultural dance education; performances; expressive arts therapy; group counseling; case management; family services; academic tutoring; college/career support - Audience
Youth (8−18). - Program location
North County Inland. - For more information
info@a‑step-beyond.org; (760) 670‑3250
City Heights Community Development Corporation
- Healing Through Nature program
City Heights CDC is proud to lead the Mindful Miles Project. This project will focus on connecting residents of City Heights to the outdoors and mental wellness via outdoor bike rides and healing circles.To achieve this objective — City Heights CDC is partnering up with Project AWARE , ESMERA (Parent group at Wilson Middle) . Over the course of the project there will be 6 events- featuring 2 workshops (a Bike 101 Workshop at the start of the project and a Bike Maintenance Workshop in the middle of the project) and 4 community bike rides to outdoor recreational spaces that get progressively longer. Through this programming City Heights CDC intends to increase the capacity of the residents of City Heights in accessing the outdoors without a car, and providing them with mental wellness resources. Free of cost for participants. - Audience
Families, Youth (14−18) , & young adults (18−25) - Program location
Central San Diego - For more information
jramirez@cityheightscdc.org; (619)-961‑1088
- Healing Through the Arts program
In partnership with Future Is Color®, Studio Sessions is a series of free, open-to-the-public immersive arts and cultural enrichment experiences featuring live music showcases, music listening events, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions. Hosted at their creative studio in the vibrant arts and cultural neighborhood of Barrio Logan, it leverages the transformative expression and exploration of music to bring people together, expand community health, and improve the quality of life of young people throughout San Diego County. - Audience
Youth ages 16 – 24 - Program location and schedule
Central San Diego
Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursday weekly, including rolling weekend exhibitions and workshops. - For more information
theteam@dreamsducats.org
- Healing Through the Arts program
Fern Street Community Arts provides free-of-charge circus instruction to families in City Heights; our Family Services program for the whole family grows out of the the circus education programs. Programs are tuition free. Service area is 92105 Zip code and/or to students in the Hoover Cluster. - Key program offerings
Circus education, ages 6 – 17. Family support — community resources, computers & hotspots. Parent learning. Early arts education. Performances in parks. - Audience
Youth, 6 — 17; children, 3 – 5; learning for parents & grandparents; emergency funds for families; computer & financial literacy. - Program location
Central San Diego, in the former Central Elementary School campus. - For more information
marcela@fernstreetcircus.com; 619−200−8409
- Healing Through Nature program
Our on-site program is based in Ramona on just over a acre of land. We offer many different farm animals, horses and calming environment outside. Heart and Hooves Therapy is here to enhance the lives of children and adults, any age and ability with a different kind of therapy. We use mini horses and other farm animals to provide on-site sessions and off-site visits to memory care facilities and more. - Key program offerings
Animal assisted activities. Animal assisted therapy. Off-site visits throughout San Diego communities. Wheelchair, sensory-friendly, animals. - Audience
Any age and ability, youth, children, teens, adults with disabilities and seniors 2 years to 100. - Program location and schedule
North County Inland.
Monday to Friday, session times vary. - For more information
Heartsandhoovestherapy@gmail.com; 619−633−5105; www.heartsandhoovestherapy.org
- Healing Through the Arts program
Over the course of nine 2‑hr sessions, Imagine will provide five Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTP) with the Play! Youth Development Theatre program which includes theatre and arts-based social and emotional learning experiences designed to address core mental health needs including human trafficking prevention and to inspire imagination, creativity, and hope. Programming will take place at each STRTP site. Zion’s Story live theatre play may take place off-site if the STRTP space can not accommodate. - Key program offerings
10 sessions: Professional development in human trafficking prevention and Arts & SEL integration, 5 multi-media arts workshops for social and emotional development; Zion’s Story pre and post-show trafficking prevention lessons, co-facilitated by lived experience experts and Teaching Artists; Zion’s Story live interactive theatre performance; Final Showcase featuring original art and performance from participating youth. Bi-lingual (Sp/Eng) for some sites, wheelchair-accessible, sensory-friendly options, multimedia creative modalities. - Audience
Foster Care youth (primarily female) ages 12 – 18 years who are residing in STRTP facilities. - Program location and schedule
North County Inland, North County Coastal, Central San Diego, South Bay, East County.
Programs start February- June.
Schedule to be determined, primarily during spring break, after school and evening weekday hours, weekends. - For more information
catherine@imaginebravespaces.com, peter@imaginebravespaces.com, 619−894−6444
- Healing Through the Arts program
San Diego NeuroDance is a collaboration between individuals living with neurological diseases, their caregivers or loved ones, physical therapists, and dancers. Cost for participants is subsidized by donations and sponsorship from the community. Cost for participants is subsidized by donations and sponsorship from the community. - Key program offerings
Teacher and Physical Therapist Training. Workshops (25 total) for participants, family, and caregivers. - Audience
Adults ages 25+ with Cerebral Palsy (CP) with physical disability, Parkinson’s Disease, Sclerotic Diseases (including Multiple Sclerosis & ALS), Stroke, or Spinal Cord Injury. - Program location and schedule
Central San Diego.
Workshops are Saturdays from 10am — 12 pm February — August 2025. - For more information
Molly Puryear; molly@malashockdance.org; (619)260‑1622 x2
- Healing Through Nature program
Outdoor Outreach removes barriers by providing outdoors-based programs — and all necessary equipment, transportation, instruction, and meals — free of cost to youth 11 – 24. Over the next year, OO will provide 500+ outings to improve mental health for 1,700+ San Diego youth who would otherwise have little opportunity to benefit from the transformative power of the outdoors. - Key program offerings
Educational outings; rock climbing; snorkeling; surfing; hiking; snow hiking; kayaking; camping; backpacking; paddle boarding; mountain biking; fishing; environmental stewardship. - Audience
Youth ages 11 – 24. - Program location
South Bay, North County Inland, Central San Diego, East County. - For more information
info@outdooroutrerach.org; (619) 238‑5790
- Healing Through Nature program
Using the ocean to heal our communities and promote physical and mental wellness using nature spaces. All programs are free of cost. - Key program offerings
Surfing; snorkeling; swimming ; kayaking; mentorship; marine science; ocean conservation; ocean safety; cultural exchange; beach volleyball; painting; marine biology education; career pathways. - Audience
Youth ages 8 – 20 and young adults. - Program location
Central San Diego. - For more information
Hello@paddleforpeace.org
Pala Band of Mission Indians Learning Center
- Healing Through Nature program
The Pala Talking Circles interactive outdoor nature-based play area caters to Pala tribal members of all ages and abilities – providing a space that is inclusive and engaging. By incorporating a variety of elements such as Native plants, Cupeno huts, Native structures, animals, and sensory experiences rooted in Native nature, the Talking Circles area holds significance as it becomes an integral part of the Pala Learning Center grounds – providing children with a fun space while facilitating socialization for adults. - Audience
Native American communities. - Program location
North County Inland. - For more information
acantu@palatribe.com
- Healing Through the Arts program
Recovery Through Theatre uses playwriting to support individuals struggling with substance use disorder by empowering personal enrichment and strengthening inter-personal relationships. Individuals may sign up to attend group workshops on alternating Saturdays. If you’re interested in hosting the programs at a drug treatment facility, please let us know. - Key program offerings
Playwriting workshops; performances. - Audience
Transition-aged youth and adults in recovery for substance use disorder. - Program location and schedule
Central San Diego.
Alternating Saturdays. - For more information
write@playwrightsproject.org; (858) 384‑2970
Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County
- Healing Through Nature program
Wild Willow Farm and Education Program is a program of the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego. Since its establishment in 2010, Wild Willow Farm and Education Center has been unwavering in its dedication to educating, cultivating, and empowering sustainable food communities in San Diego. Situated in the unique Tijuana River Valley, on the ancestral lands of the Kumeyaay people, this rich history and cultural significance form an integral part of our work and mission. - Key program offerings
Regenerative Farming School for Beginning Farmers; Children and Youth Field Trips; Workshops; Internships; Volunteer Opportunities, Community Events. - Audience
Children, Youth, Adults. - Program location and schedule
South Bay.
Year-round. - For more information
Areli Perez, Education Manager, Areli.perez@rcdsandiego.org, 619−562−4799
- Healing Through Nature program
San Diego Canyonlands is expanding its transformational work with underserved youth through programs like the Canyon Connections Internship. This initiative has already proven to be a catalyst for growth, helping participants from diverse backgrounds forge meaningful connections with nature, their communities, and themselves. - Key program offerings
- Hands in the Earth: restore sensitive habitats like those vital to monarch butterflies and pollinators, and rehab a community garden in City Heights.
- Learning with Purpose: integrate ecological knowledge, indigenous wisdom, and inclusive perspectives into outdoor learning.
- Bilingual (Spanish), Virtual tours, Financial assistance.
- Audience
Middle & High School Youth in marginalized communities. - Program location and schedule
Central San Diego.
Weekly on Saturdays mornings and select Friday mornings through 2025. - For more information
info@sdcanyonlands.org
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
- Healing Through the Arts program
1‑Year Family Memberships will be offered to under-resourced families through this program unlocking unlimited access to the Museum and our 7,000 square foot Outdoor Discovery Garden, a safe and joyful play and exhibit space. This initiative supports children’s mental health (ages 0 — 10) by integrating social emotional play into more than 1,000 nature based and outdoor workshops and events annually. Family Workshops, Fun Animal Fridays, and Garden Workshops delivered within the Outdoor Discovery Garden are designed to improve children’s mental wellbeing and lay the groundwork for healthier individuals, families, and communities. - Key program offerings
memberships; family workshops; garden workshops; events; cultural and arts programs; animal meet-n-greets; STREAM workshops. - Audience
Youth (ages 0 – 10). - Program location and schedule
North County Inland.
Tuesdays through Sundays, 9:30 am‑4:30 pm. - For more information
www.sdcdm.org; (760) 233‑7755; info@sdcdm.org
- Healing Through the Arts program
San Diego Craft Collective will host an educational, healing program titled Threads of Tranquility. We will address coping with stress and anxiety through weaving and textiles. - Key program offerings
textile education, weaving instruction, sewing instruction. Multilingual. - Audience
Refugee populations (adults and also teens). - Program location and schedule
Central San Diego.
Thursdays, January — March 2025. - For more information
make@sandiegocraft.org
- Healing Through the Arts program
To activate Marie Wideman Park as point of destination for creative arts and cultural enrichment music song dance and the promotion of mental, physical and spiritual health, educational and support based resources for youth family and community development in an atmosphere of entertainment, empowerment, theatre, positive images opportunities and rejuvenation activities. - Key program offerings
- April is Black Cultural Enrichment Saturday School program for youth families and community group exploration in African history, heritage, culture, geography, music, song, dance, food and style in the park on Saturdays.
- May is Annual Festival of Creativity “ Kuumba Festival” 3 days of African market Place with vendors, theater, dance and talent performances, positive images youth and family development challenges holistic education, resources and spiritual rejuvenation.
- June is the Celebration of Fathers and Music Month ( Focusing on Dance music and physical and mental wellbeing).
- July is Freedom Day special invite for Veterans of color and families to take a break from stress, daily worries and anxiety through a day of positive reflection, resources, and socialization, music, food, entertainment and positive vibes.
- August is FAT Xtravaganza a fusion of fashion art talent and entrepreneurs and various artists and vendors in the park.
- September is a day of BFED creative family entertainment, community resources, “Black Family Empowerment Day “ vendors, music, comedy, song, dancing, awards ceremony for elderly and finale concert.
- Audience
The entire family and community with activities for people 6 to 90. - Program location and schedule
Central San Diego.
April Saturdays 11am to 1pm May ‑September all activities are Last Saturday of the month. - For more information
619−252−6314
Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services Organization
- Healing Through the Arts & Nature program
We are having a field trips to the Nationals Parks and have art classes for Ukrainian youth in the Liberty Station. - Audience
Youth from 5 to 18 years old. - Program location
Central San Diego, North County Coastal, South Bay, North County Inland, East County. - For more information
info@slavics.org
- Healing Through Nature program
Surprise Farm Retreat Center is a nature retreat center just outside of Ramona, CA. SFRC offers educational programs in the surround of nature, organic farming, and heritage sites. The experience of being in place, with creative intentional community, encourages well-being. Our intentions include learning from each other about meaning and purpose, in workshops and around the fire pit. We seek a caring and sustainable interaction between human nature and Nature, inviting Nature to heal us. - Key program offerings
Farming/gardening education; meditation & yoga; building nature awareness and connection practices; creating a sense of place in culture and heritage and in the presence; fire-pit community gatherings; stargazing; tenting. - Audience
All ages etc.; multigenerational; youth groups. - Program location & schedule
East County.
All seasons but dependent on weather (rain and heat). - For more information
surprisefarmretreatcenter@gmail.com; (760) 704‑7792
- Healing Through the Arts program
With support from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, the Timken Museum of Art (“Timken”) will provide a comprehensive art expression program for veterans receiving treatment for substance addiction at the VA La Jolla. The program consists of 90-minute art classes taught by the Timken Teaching Artist, quarterly tours of the Timken galleries, and biweekly art workshops led by a successful veteran artist. This program increases participants’ comprehension of and connection to the role of art in the world. Pre and post-evaluations indicate that participants typically experience a reduction in pain and anxiety. - Key program offerings
The program consists of 90-minute art classes taught by the Timken Teaching Artist, quarterly tours of the Timken galleries, and biweekly art workshops led by a successful veteran artist. - Audience
Veterans. - Program location and schedule
Central San Diego, North County Inland, North County Coastal, East County, South Bay.
Biweekly. - For more information
www.timkenmuseum.org
- Healing Through the Arts program
VetArt offers free professionally taught art classes to our veteran community with the goal of improving emotional well-being. Veteran participants find a sense of belonging while acquiring tools to navigate transition to civilian life. Weekly art instruction in the process-heavy disciplines of ceramics and glass provide participants with a positive, sustained experience and inclusion in a creative community. Regional art exhibits showcase participants’ artwork and serve as advocacy events. - Key program offerings
Ceramics classes; Glass casting classes; Cyanotype classes; medicine bag workshops. Focusing on facility, materials and instruction. - Audience
Veterans, spouses, dependents, active duty and caregivers. - Program location
South Bay, North County Inland, North County Coastal. - For more information
steve@vetart.org; (760)295‑0799