Healing through creativity
My Journey to Founding Arjarun
My name is Allison Arjarun, and I am the founder of Arjarun, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering passionate, committed artists facing emotional, mental, and financial challenges. My journey to creating Arjarun is deeply personal, shaped by my own experiences with illness, healing, and the transformative power of creativity.
Inspiration
In 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer while working in a high-pressure corporate job. I loved most of the people I worked with, but the environment was unhealthy for me. I had been feeling worn down for a while and decided to take a trip to Japan for a yoga retreat, hoping it would reenergize me like travel usually does. But I came back completely exhausted. Not long after, I got the diagnosis.
I had to leave my job to focus on my health. Faced with a terminal illness, I made the choice to spend my time doing things I loved. I enrolled in ballet and sewing classes, practiced yoga, and kept myself busy with creative pursuits that made me feel more like myself.
Even though I was physically, mentally, and emotionally unwell—and losing a lot of weight—I kept going. Later that year, I traveled to Portugal for another yoga retreat with friends, thinking of it as a kind of last hurrah. But something shifted. My cancer markers dropped significantly, and by the end of 2019, I was considered healthy.
Turning Point
In 2020, as we all know, things were challenging. In early March, I was committed to a mental hospital due to severe anxiety, depression, and malnutrition. Complications with my diagnosis and medication contributed to me having a mental break. I agreed to go to rehab for several weeks, but realizing that it wasn’t the right place for me, I left and began to travel and live nomadically. Allowing myself to wake up every day and do exactly what I wanted became a crucial part of my healing process. This experience underscored the importance of pursuing our passions and doing what we love—not what others expect of us.
Challenges
My journey was filled with physical, emotional, and mental challenges. The medication and illness took a toll on my body and mind, leading to severe depression and anxiety. However, art, dance, and creativity provided a channel to express and manage these emotions, helping me become stronger and more resilient. This realization led me to find my purpose through Arjarun.
The Journey to Arjarun
Having been given multiple chances to rebuild my life, I recognized the importance of living in alignment with my heart and soul. This is where Arjarun was born. I realized that no matter the difficulties we face—whether it's addiction, low self-esteem, or past traumas—creativity can be a powerful tool for healing and recovery. My travels connected me with incredible people whose stories reminded me that everyone has their own battles, often hidden beneath the surface.
Mission and Vision
These experiences inspired the mission of Arjarun. We help passionate artists facing mental health challenges, such as anxiety and low self-worth, as well as financial instability. Our grant program allows creatives to focus on their art without extreme financial worries. By supporting their emotional well-being and providing financial assistance, we help artists transform their struggles into creative expression. Our vision is to create a world where these artists can thrive and become self-sufficient with our support.
Impact and Looking Forward
Since founding Arjarun, we have helped artists regain their confidence and focus on their art. Our programs have made a real difference, enabling artists to produce amazing works, gain recognition and a livelihood. The positive feedback from our beneficiaries and the community has been incredibly rewarding.
As we look to the future, I am hopeful and excited about what lies ahead for Arjarun. We are dedicated to expanding our reach, supporting more artists, and creating lasting change in the arts community. At Arjarun, we believe that every artist deserves a supportive home where they can flourish, and we are committed to making that vision a reality.
Thank you for joining us on this journey and for supporting the arts in such a meaningful way.
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