Dea Bender

I love that I have a sense of accomplishment and confidence that I didn’t have in my younger year's. Learning to take care of the mind, body & soul takes time. If I want to dress up I do, if not I proudly strut in cozy clothing. I use my life experiences to help many foundations and even opened an art gallery in the Denver, Santa Fe Arts District. I love working with other survivors and women, my hearts desire is to show them that they are so much more than the bleak things that happen in life.

Mental health is key! Also art! I have been an artist for over 20 years and now I use my art & Gallery to build other’s up and be a safe place for people to learn to see all they are worthy and capable of. I have overcome many life altering challenges and am a survivor that aims to help others & leave a lasting impact in their lives. Of course a healthy lifestyle is also crucial! Life is a fragile balance but with a hand up and gratitude the balance can be achieved.

What I would love to do with 40,000 dollars is invest it into the artists I have in my gallery. To be able to make sure they have certain art supplies. I also would donate proceeds to the blue bench foundation that I am an artist and advocate for, as well as micro charities that help women and children in DV, SA situations. For me it’s not the amount we can give, rather the hand up. We all have needed that caring hand up and my life mission is one to be the changes I seek in the world.