Meet Healing Arts Reaching Kids

Nov 6, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Apr 1

One of the many masterpieces created by the children through HARK's programs

Tell us a little about Healing Arts Reaching Kids - how did it begin, and what inspired its mission?

Healing Arts Reaching Kids started in 2006 when our founder, Karen Sweeney, began volunteering at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She was shocked at the limited art supplies available to the children. Karen gathered her friends together and raised the funds to begin Healing Arts Reaching Kids (HARK)

How does your organization use art to make a difference in the community?

Now, HARK volunteers hold weekly art workshops in the Oasis Room (art playroom) from September to April.
May-August, every Tuesday, HARK volunteers paint with children and families at the HBO cafe. We have had over 80 participants at a single workshop. We serve the community well with this effort.
Hark also supplies 12 Art Boxes, strategically placed for the Nurses to access, 24/7, to help the children cope with their experience during their stay at the hospital. These Boxes are filled with everything from Paints, markers, and canvas to coloring books, egg shakers, harmonicas, and bubbles. 95 Items per Box, restocked weekly.
Between the Workshops and the Boxes, HARK is reaching about 24,000 children a year.

That's incredible! What has been one of your most meaningful or memorable projects you've seen through HARK?

HARK volunteer, Mateo, outside of the HBO cafe.

The workshops in the HBO Cafe have been remarkable. They would be our most memorable project. We have been doing them since 2012, and the connections made between the kids who are living with an illness and the ability to be normal, and all paint together and forget the IVs…It's like going to the beach. It's a playdate, a release, a surprise for the parents, and a way for them to settle in, and everyone can breathe.

What do you love most about Pasadena

Pasadena is part of my childhood; it's a warm and comfortable place. The Rose Parade…We slept on the curb 65 years ago for the parade… and it's still there. My grandmother lived there. My son lived there. Jack-a-lope brought me there most recently. It feels like a neighborhood..

What is a fun fact about your organization or team that other may not expect?

HARK volunteers who do our workshops LOVE doing them. We have an unbreakable bond. The fun fact is, we are all a little silly.

Where do you hope to see HARK in the next five years

In 5 years, I hope HARK has touched enough lives that more hospitals will be doing what we do. I hope more people will support HARK. We always need more volunteers and funding.

What is a valuable lesson you have learned that has helped you grow?

I always thought that growing meant growing more followers or members. For HARK we have been working to grow within. Helping the members, we have to be able to find their best way to help the children.

Some want to get a Volunteer badge so they can work inside the Hospital with the children. Some like doing the events, and others are better on the business side. By building strength within our group, we are growing our foundation.

Any new items or projects that you are excited about?

Recently, I came across poems the children at CHLA wrote over the years. I would like to create collages with poetry and kids' art, and either decoupage or frame them. I am excited to give this a try!

We also have [featured below] the beginning of a fun Year of the Horse collection!