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Shari Diwata loved to draw when she was a child. But she put her artistic ambitions on hold when she joined the U.S. Navy at 18.

But after leaving the military, going to college, and raising a child, she found the Seattle, Washington, non-profit , which uses art to help former military, and others, impacted by trauma.

“I’d always wanted to take art classes, but never thought it was an endeavor important enough to spend that money on myself,” Diwata said. “It’s been a gentle, not scary, reintroduction and reincorporation with creativity and art.”

Now one of Diwata’s paintings will be on display in the new �Ӱ���Ƶ Community Room at the in Lakewood, Washington. A recent ribbon-cutting celebrated the opening of this new space.

What is it:

• The Steven A. Cohen Clinic provides behavioral health care to current military, their families, and veterans.
• �Ӱ���Ƶ Global Engagement (BGE) provided donations to establish the �Ӱ���Ƶ Community room, which has space for about 50 people and will be used for workshops, classes, and other gatherings.
• �Ӱ���Ƶ purchased four pieces of artwork, including Diwata’s, from Path with Art to be displayed in the room.
• This is part of a larger $1.4 million investment from BGE to Puget Sound organizations serving veterans and military families.
• The ceremony brought together BGE’s “Our Heroes” partners from around the Puget Sound, a coalition of organizations supporting current military, their families, and veterans.

What they’re saying:

• “�Ӱ���Ƶ has been an essential partner, even before we opened our doors,” Dr. Nichole Ayres, Clinical Director, Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic, said. “Because of that support over the last five years, we’ve dedicated our community room to �Ӱ���Ƶ. It’s a place where we bring communities together.”
• “[Having my art displayed] is so validating to me, and is such an honor to have one of my pieces chosen,” said Diwata. “I hope it evokes a range of emotions and impressions, creating a conversation between people.”

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