Although the Auditorium Theatre is universally recognized as a house for exceptional artistic productions, our outreach programs comprise an equally integral area of focus. One of our most vital and well-received programs is "Hands Together, Heart to Art," a performing arts camp for children ages 7-14 who have experienced the death of a parent. Every summer we hold two separate sessions of this one-of-a-kind summer camp for over 100 children from throughout Chicago and Illinois. The sessions take place in the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre in Chicago as well as various classrooms and performance spaces within Roosevelt University. All the sessions of "Hands Together, Heart to Art" include daily theatre, music and dance classes, allowing the children to heal through their participation in each art form. In addition, we welcome special guests who will either lead the children in various artistic activities, or share their own personal story of grieving the loss of a parent when they were a child. A full staff of caring adults including grief counselors, teaching artists and noted local arts partners, as well as group leaders, guest speakers, guest teachers, a camp director and an assistant camp director are always present and fully engaged at the camp. This summer, we expect to serve approximately 45 children in each session, plus several Junior Counselors (returning campers aged 14 and over who wish to provide guidance and direction for the younger children). Since its inception, literally hundreds of young people and their families have used music, dance and creative play as a means of coping with, and overcoming, the trauma in their lives. Beyond the positive feedback, "Hands Together, Heart to Art" also helps instill self-confidence and self-expression in all our campers, values facilitated through their interactions with one another, discussions with therapists, and exposure to artistic experiences. Participating in creative play assists these hurting children in overcoming the daunting barriers of their tragedy by initiating a journey of lifelong learning and helping them gain not only self-worth, but enhanced self-awareness, thereby creating a valuable avenue for addressing their grief. By stressing these virtues at an early stage in their lives, we are confident and honored that "Hands Together, Heart to Art" can make an indelible and immediate impact on thousands of young people--and we are enormously grateful to those who are willing to help these children and ultimately improve the world.