“The Art of Elysium has collaborated with my work as the psychologist for the Division of Plastic Surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. No request has ever been denied in the four years that I have known them. They have provided Christmas and Valentines parties for our patients and their siblings, guitar lessons for some of my depressed patients, and a special, one on one, make over for patients that need some tender loving care. They have also helped bring stability to the activities I use in my social skills and empowerment groups by providing actors, musicians, dancers, make up artists and hair dressers as I need them. I am so happy to have The Art of Elysium as a community resource."

- Susan Miller, Psy.D. - Clinical and Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Plastic Surgery, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, PSY 19995

“Kudos to The Art of Elysium for their generous support for our craniofacial patients. Without this support, our self-esteem building programs for both boys and girls would not be possible.  "Girl Talk" and "Yo Lo Tengo" are not offered any place else in the country.  The family growth both for the parent and their child brings tears to your eyes when you see them at the "graduation" activity.  Nobody wants the program to end. The kids want to know if they can come again!!!  As I follow the kids, after they have been participants, I can see that the personal growth and development lasts far after the program has ended.  It is with heartfelt thanks that I recognize your generosity."

- Debra Browne, RN, MSN, CPNP Nurse Care Manager, Craniofacial Team

"One of the most overlooked things in the hospital environment, because the children are so ill, is what they do with their time. My daughter first spent eleven days in the hospital, and more recently another seven. If an organization can take a child's mind off of their pain for five minutes then it is worth it. Each minute in the hospital is long to a child; each minute is a part of their childhood slipping away as they face pain, fear, and possibly death. Jennifer has sat in ICU with my daughter and made her laugh and smile, temporarily helping my daughter to forget her anguish. For every child in the hospital, there should be someone like Jennifer, who helps the child forget and the parents believe."

- Susan Milliken
Parent

“I am thankful for the boys and girls group because these programs really motivated the children and the parents to find ways to be all that they can be even with their limitations. I found that my children learned how to express themselves in these groups and learned that they are not the only ones with problems. I wish programs like this could be all year round. I really appreciate all the time and effort that The Art of Elysium gave to these programs. The joy and smiles that were always on the faces of the staff made us all believe we could do anything.  Thank you The Art of Elysium!"

- Marco Marin
Parent of a Girl Talk daughter, a Yo lo Tengo son, and a participant in the parent group.


“ I found it [Yo Lo Tengo/Boys Group] to be educational. It brought me comfort in knowing that there are people out there like The Art of Elysium willing to give of their time to reach out to parents and children in need."

- Maria Martinez
Mother of a Participant

"My wife Ming-chu really enjoyed photographing your group in action. It's clear from the photos she took that you were getting through to these young people in a serious way - we have never seen them so engaged. Many of these kids have problems with focus and attention, but not on that afternoon. Your group really does great work; we hope to see you again soon!"

- John and Ming-chu Rouse
from Epilepsy Foundation event

"I consider myself very lucky to have met Jennifer Howell.  She is one of those people we all aspire to be - selfless, giving and brave.  The kind of person who sees all of the red tape and bureaucracy we know can be an obstacle and puts change in place.   By starting The Art of Elysium, a bare to the bones, no fat well run, organization - she has been able to effect real change.  It can be disheartening when you take your time as a celebrity to help to do a fundraiser and find that virtually no money was raised because the overhead is so outrageous. Going to an Art of Elysium event is a beautiful experience-- from meeting the vendors who are donating their goods, to hearing at the end of the night how much money was really raised.  But that is before you meet the kids and the doctors and the parents! 

Meeting the girls with the cranial facial disfigurements, talking to them about the changes that had happened for them in their therapy and watching them do their graduation fashion show was so beautiful.  To see these girls who because of peoples' cruelty had grown long hair to hide their faces, who stood with slumped shoulders trying to be unnoticed now walk in the Fashion Show with pride, poise and exuberant personalities was like watching flowers opening to the sun.

I was also lucky enough to go to the gingerbread house-making workshop at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.  It was great to see these kids and their siblings (who had been through difficult family times spending days and days in waiting rooms while your sibling has multiple operations) with beautiful smiles and happy excitement making gingerbread houses.  Their parents looking on were so gracious and so grateful to see their children having an afternoon of fun, creative child play together. 

I feel lucky to have been a part of these events, and look forward to being more involved in The Art of Elysium"

- Patricia Arquette
Actress

"The unexpected outcome to my performing for the children through The Art of Elysium was that my listeners touched me more deeply than I could ever hope to touch them. I firmly believe that the strength of one spirit can be measured by its ability to face life's hardships. I am constantly amazed at the strength displayed by these precious children and their daily struggles that I cannot even begin to comprehend. Initially I walked into the hospital rooms to play my music and I emerged having a new perspective on my own life. My donation of time and resources to The Art of Elysium is just a gift to my own spirit as it is to these children."

- Koi Howard
Singer/Songwriter

“I support The Art of Elysium because of the great work of its founder, Jennifer Howell, and her dream of allowing artists and entertainers to bring joy, hope, and laughter to seriously ill children through sharing the gifts and their art with them.  It is so important, and especially for those of us who are incredibly lucky to be making a career as artists, to remember that, at this very moment, there are children living close by who have lost even the will to go on.  Through The Art of Elysium we can help restore youth and light to these children, and often literally give them the hope they need to survive."

“The Art of Elysium is an organization I have been involved with for many years. There's a concept that the group seems to be born from, an idea that gives it life, and it is more than just a way of organizing a company it is a way of living one's life. It has to do with bridging the gap between people and finding inspiration and solace in these connections. By bringing together people who would not ordinarily find themselves in the same room and using their creativity to build friendships they take steps towards creating a better world. In a time where people are spending more and more of their days on their computers, in their cars, on their i-pods, the need for personal contact is vital. The Art of Elysium is a superb organization and I'm proud to be a part of it."

- Jeremy Sisto
Actor

" It was hard to turn down Jennifer Howell's offer for all of those months. Jennifer, with that beam in her eyes, that honesty in her smile would extend to me over and over again the possibility of seeing what she has seen for so long. The simple gift of touching a child who is bed ridden in a hospital; what it can do for them but perhaps more so what it can do for you. However, scheduling, timing, my life, my career and my trepidation of having my heart broken by the look in a child's eyes; the absolute fear that it would just be too painful, seemed to keep me from making that visit. Finally, that long awaited instant when my feet walked into that hospital had arrived. Surrounded by children, some in wheelchairs, some on respirators, some whose exteriors looked fine but whose insides were crying, I realized that I was surrounded by something wordless. I was overwhelmed with happiness. I was suddenly fearless perhaps because these young human beings were fearless and brave and more courageous than I could have ever thought possible. Jennifer was there sitting with these children. I saw in her a quiet sense of purpose that was inspired and inspiring. I have made a pledge to myself to follow the change in my heart with a greater sense of urgency. My spirit was lifted in that hospital and in many personal ways my life has been shifted. I say this to you; I say this to myself. Whenever we get a chance, whenever we can make the chance happen, spend a minute or an hour surrounded by these kids. Sing, read a story, share an experience. The possibilities of becoming more than we are will never seem so endless. Thank you Jennifer for trusting me to share in the joy that you have been living."