Rose Padilla Johnson of San Leandro, California, serves the needs of individuals with low incomes through the Davis Street Community Center, a family service organization. As the nonprofit’s chief executive officer, Rose Padilla Johnson helps provide Stepping Stones Growth Center (SSGC) services to more than 250 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Founded in 1975, SSGC collaborated with the Davis Street Community Center in May for its annual spring art show. The event, held at the San Leandro Library, displayed a variety of works by artists from the Artful Steps program.
Artful Steps aims to teach individuals with different levels of ability how to express themselves through art. The program is comprised of two parts, an activity session and a social recreation session.
Since its implementation, Artful Steps has exhibited participants’ artworks in Oakland and Union City. For 18 years, the program has been organizing live art auctions that raise money for the artists.
