Superficially, our Christmas Tree Project events appear to be huge parties with colorful activities, great entertainment, delicious food, toys, and lots of surprises. They are fun. On the surface, that's exactly how they are supposed to appear.

In reality, however, their primary purpose transcends the superficial to a level much deeper and more meaningful. All of our events have been carefully crafted by our team of counselors and educators to create a nurturing environment which addresses children's self-concept and loss issues. Through the use of activities firmly based on the principles of the Expressive Therapies, the children are presented with essential life lessons in a format that is fun.

The cycle of poverty prevents children from achieving their full potential by undermining their own self-concept and ability to strive for their dreams. Why try if you feel the expectation placed on you is that you are a failure? The activities are designed to break this pattern by teaching the children skills that will encourage and empower them to strive to do their best throughout their lives.

Our special needs children live in a world driven by a culture that fixates on perfection and symmetry and rejects the ill, the weak, and the different. It can be a very cruel place. The activities are designed to provide a safe place where they are appreciated, encouraged, and acknowledged by their community. It's a place where they can succeed.

All of the activities support our primary mission, to increase the children's awareness of their own potential, build their confidence, and improve their self-concept. While we strive to make all of the activities fun and challenging for the participants, all of them must reflect our core belief that every child is capable of success in life if they are provided with the support, guidance, and acceptance of the adults around them.