Open to Hope contributor Lauren Muscarella is hosting her first fundraiser for her new organization Trauma to Art, http://trauma2art.com, at Coppi’s Organic, 1414 U St. Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. If you live in the DC area, stop by to support her new organization and to meet one of our writers.

Lauren’s organization supports creative expression as a coping mechanism for dealing with loss. In addition to helping people start in-person meet-up groups and posting submissions on its site, the organization will give away two scholarships annually as well as stipends to purchase supplies. Moreover, Trauma to Art will publish an annual yearbook featuring submissions and a catalog of available bereavement resources.

The event is a joint fundraiser with foundation started by the owner of the event location. Coppi’s owner Carlos Amaya started The Nori Amaya Foundation in his sister’s name to support women’s self-defense. The case of his sister, Nori Amaya, who was found murdered in November 2009 in Northwest, is still open. Her story was featured on America’s Most Wanted on April 2, (http://www.fox.com/americasmostwanted/full-episodes) please watch and share this link with others to help in the effort to solve her case. The event is about raising some money, but more importantly it is to raise awareness for Trauma to Art as an available resource to those grieving and to spread the word about Nori’s case and AMW episode.

Also, 25 percent of the evening’s sales will be split to support Trauma to Art and The Nori Amaya Foundation. Coppi’s Organic is a cornerstone U-Street neighborhood favorite. It offers a welcoming environment and sensational, 100% organic brick oven pizza as well as many other Italian culinary creations. Event goers will have a chance to win four personal training sessions with Jimmy Bathurst, City Paper’s best trainer in DC 2010 as well as a 3-month membership to Balance Gym. Also there will be a live performance by Trauma to Art contributor Rachel Levitin.

For more information about the event, email Lauren at Lauren@traumatoart.com or tweet her @LaMuscarella.