Craft Cottage Helps Young People Discover Self-Worth

June 26, 2025

Maya Wallace, a lifelong painter, art teacher, filmmaker, and our newest Craft Cottage Coordinator, believes art has the power to transform lives.

“Art saved my life,” Wallace said. It allowed me to cultivate my identity, and [create art] that speaks to my soul.”

With 10 years experience teaching and administrative work, Wallace is eager to serve our youth through art. She first heard about Mercy Home from a high school friend, who lived at the Walsh Girls Campus, and would share how the Home gave her structure and community.

While only being at the Home for three months, Wallace has seen our youth blossom into confident young adults and learn more about themselves and how to tell their stories in creative ways.

“My philosophy is [for them to make] honest art,” she said. “I’m focused on how their experience can connect them with their own selves, with each other, and in reality. [But, I also] gamify the lessons, to make it more interactive.”

The Craft Cottage plays a critical role in our kids’ treatment. The art sessions have allowed them to learn how to share their voice, learn new aspects of self-care, and how to understand when they feel dysregulated or low on energy.

“They’re being asked to tell their story, even if it’s lighthearted or multi-layered,” she said. “They’re voicing some aspect of their story with words or in images and I think it’s really important for them to feel like there’s a sense of trust within the space, within their experience, so they can feel received and supported.”

A recent activity in Craft Cottage was called “Bringing Yourself Back to Center.” Everyone painted how they feel when they are centered, at peace with themselves, or any other emotion, using watercolors. Additionally, they did an activity called, “Who Are You” glyph using codex symbols to color coat their characteristics, while learning about hieroglyphics and how to draw portraiture.

“[They’re learning that], if I interact with [a certain] kind of [art] material, then it actually calms me or allows me to process something that I had an issue with,” Wallace said. “They’re engaging in creative activity that allows them to come back to center.”

Art is a coping mechanism for Mercy Home resident, Alise, and she especially loves doing art at the Craft Cottage.

“[The Craft Cottage] is a lovely thing,” Alise said. “You can go there and do art of any kind. Once [I] walk into the Craft Cottage, I can become my own artist.”

We are so grateful for our coworkers that help our young people discover their creativity, self-worth, and provide a safe place to be their authentic selves.