MAE Organization for the Homeless was established as a way to support the men, women and children of Rhode Island who have found themselves among the homeless and help restore a sense of purpose while preserving their dignity.
Art and healing have always been one. In fact it is now known by neurophysiologists that art, prayer, and healing all come from the same source in the body; they are all associated with similar brain wave patterns, mind-body changes, and they are all deeply connected in feeling and meaning.
Love needs a lover and a loved one, and healing needs a healer and person who needs healing; the bridge between them, the invisible connection, is art, the language of love.
— Michael Samuels, M.D
Through an expressive arts partnership program, individuals work alongside Martinha to create one-of-a-kind, hand-painted furniture pieces that are used in the design projects of Martinha Designs.
These pieces are a unique component and the signature aspect of Martinha Designs work. They are most often recycled items and are painted by hand by homeless individuals.
The finished pieces are both physically and spiritually beautiful and stand as monuments of hope that beauty and purpose can return to all things.
But beyond the production of beautiful furnishings, MAE Organization for the Homeless aids in the healing process that comes from these facilitated expressive arts sessions. Guests experience self-acceptance, a sense of identity, love and discipline.
Additionally, they have the opportunity to learn one-on-one or in small groups how to care for the health of their body that houses the Divine gift of their spirit.
Heaven is found by serving the lowliest.
— Mother Theresa
In Rhode Island, 6,773 people became homeless last year, many of them due to evictions as they were unable to pay their escalating rental costs.
According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors:
National studies indicate a surprisingly high rate of homelessness among adolescents. Researchers estimate that between 1 million and 1.5 million adolescents of the general teenage population experience at least one episode of homelessness each year. This number does not include young adults aged 18 to 24. Homeless youth and young adults are at risk for physical abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health disabilities, chemical or alcohol dependency and death.
Many people think of homelessness as strictly an urban phenomenon because homeless people are greater in number and are more visible in urban areas, but homelessness is pervasive in rural areas.
Doctors and nurses are working with artists and musicians to heal people of all ages with many conditions, including cancer and AIDS. These healers have found that art and music, when combined with traditional medicine, are powerful tools.
Many of the patients who had been through years of traditional verbal psychotherapy were astounded by the difference they experienced when they used art to express their feelings rather than words.
— Barbara Ganim
author of Art and Healing
It is virtually impossible for many homeless people to step out of their daily survival mode and work on improving their lives by themselves. The compounding effects of homelessness support an indefinite term of living in a survival mode of just getting along from one day to the next.
Most of the people we serve have difficulty accessing the social service system. They are unable to keep scheduled appointments, to follow through with services, or obey program rules.
Post-9/11 security barriers have increased these challenges. As a result, many of the homeless are prevented from utilizing the services they need simply because they have no way of providing the proper forms of identification.
When our homeless friends are ready to start improving their lives, we will be here to help them do so. Our goal is to help them, one by one, renew their lives and become self-sustaining people of dignity and grace once again.
My vision for MAE Organization for the Homeless includes developing a permanent site to provide:
And a growth plan that includes:
Love until it hurts. What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do.
The needs are great and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.
— Mother Theresa
MAE Organization for the Homeless is a nonprofit organization. Therefore, financial contributions are crucial for maintaining ongoing programs and the expenses associated with them such as rent, heat, water, food and art materials and are needed now. We also need gently used furniture with paintable surfaces.
Please help. Thank you and God bless you for your kind support.
Arrangements for donations may be made by contacting Martinha at
401-206-1451 or
mae@martinhadesigns.com
Please check this website periodically for more information about events, fundraisers and updates on the progress of involved individuals.
This song has been my favorite along with Ave Maria since my Confirmation. It called to me that day during Mass and it has never left my mind since. At least once a week I find myself humming it. In a dream one night, it became clear to me that I am here to serve the homeless through my interior design business and expressive arts. So let it be that I am your servant. Amen.
— Martinha Javid
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.