CARING at Columbia

Make a Gift – Support CARING at Columbia

For over 30 years, CARING at Columbia has supported the mental health of at-risk children and adolescents in New York. We are part of a growing movement in mental health focused on prevention, the effort to prevent illness before it occurs. CARING’s unique prevention model is based in the creative arts.

It is a culturally sensitive approach focused on developing positive emotional coping and problem-solving strategies, improving social skills, and promoting positive peer interaction.  Working directly within local public schools, clinics, and community centers, CARING group leaders help children to learn to identify their strengths, to learn positive coping skills, and to explore and express their feelings. This model helps children from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to cope with the challenges they face in their lives.

CARING at Columbia was founded in 1988 by Clarice J. Kestenbaum, MD and Ian Canino, MD as a way to promote the mental health of children and adolescents living in New York’s underserved communities.  Since then, CARING has touched the lives of thousands of youth and families, helping them to cope with stress and express their feelings through  the creative arts and play. We invite you to join us today in our ongoing efforts. No donation is too small, and almost all of your donation will go directly to CARING’s unique programming.  Your tax-deductible donation is deeply appreciated.