SheShinesOn… Käthe Swabeck

Q: Please describe your job in one sentence.

A: The Program Director oversees the development, coordination and administration of all aspects of RAW’s 50+ programs including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and supporting staff in their roles and program activities.

Q: And what previous job or training was best able to prepare you for your work at RAW?

A: Before RAW, I worked as a psychiatric aide and art therapist for an 8-year-old boy with Bi-polar illness for 35 hours a week for an entire year. This was a deep intensive humbling experience where I learned a lot about working with explosive children, creative limit setting and positive reinforcement, the power of art therapy, and how to support families who are giving it their all and who are depleted.

Q: What would the world be like without your organization?

A: I think the world would be ok but 1400 youth each year would be missing a rich, deep experience in creativity, problem solving, and connection to this world.

Q: Finally, what has most surprised you since starting your with with RAW?

A: The good side: How deep engagement with youth in the arts can lead to such positive outcomes in skills, identity, and connection to others.

The hard side: Our society’s lack of resources, lack of skilled workers, and lack of funding for our youth – especially for our youth who have suffered trauma, sexual abuse, and have other forms of PTSD.

 

SheGives connects committed, inquisitive, engaged donors with a slate of diligenced nonprofits in the Greater Boston area. We provide members with relevant data about the nonprofits in our portfolio and an opportunity to meet directly with our nonprofits’ Executive Directors and senior staff in small settings that promote in-depth q&a’s and, ultimately, informed giving. Giving is personally driven, but because we give side-by-side our collective impact is greater. See a list of the vetted nonprofits selected for our slate here.