Hard Times Hit Painted Planet ArtSpace:
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Knowing how self-conscious she felt while going through chemo, 11 years later she developed Healing Planet. It allows women who are going through cancer and other illnesses to get pampered.
“We started doing Spa-Ah, which was meditation and prayer and facials…we had a lady that would also do wigs. Then we added massages, reflexology, personal training, yoga and nutrition,” said Bowers.
"My friend got diagnosed with cancer and she told me she wasn't going for treatment because she didn't have transportation. I took her to Painted Planet for spa night and she did a complete turnaround, a 180. She even got involved with making treats for Painted Planet," said June Hurt, president of Cooper-Young Community Association.
Although the services come at no cost to the women, it does come with a price for the business. Painted Planet displays various artwork from artists and from each painting sold, the ministry receives a portion of the sales.
"The artists get half of the total price and Painted Planet gets half and whatever is left after our operation expenses, goes towards the Healing Planet ministry," said Bowers. However, if nothing is sold there isn’t a profit to be made.
Bowers never took any money from the women who benefit from Healing Planet and with all the help from the public, she still feels awkward accepting donations. But she knows how much the company means to so many women.
“Until this last crunch I never really had to take any cash,” said Bowers.
She also knows amazing things happen to some of the people who visit on the second Monday of each month.
“We’ve got so many wonderful healings that you just wouldn’t believe where people have come in and they’ve been given death sentences pretty much,” said Bowers.
The ministry isn’t limited to breast cancer --- whether its lupus, multiple sclerosis or diabetes the door is open to all.
“We have Muslims, Jews and Christians … we believe that everyone is welcome,” said Bowers.
"It is just an all around great place, I think she [Bowers] is an amazing person," said Hurt.
During the interview she received another phone call. This time it was a doctor. He wanted to know if he could get enough sponsors together and pay their monthly rent. With tears in her eyes she asked for a hug.
"You never know, I kept thinking, 'God have you abandoned me?' But he works in such amazing ways," said Bowers.
Once everything is back on track, Bowers plan to file paperwork to become a registered non-profit organization, in hopes of helping more people who suffer from chronic diseases.
“We started doing Spa-Ah, which was meditation and prayer and facials…we had a lady that would also do wigs. Then we added massages, reflexology, personal training, yoga and nutrition,” said Bowers.
"My friend got diagnosed with cancer and she told me she wasn't going for treatment because she didn't have transportation. I took her to Painted Planet for spa night and she did a complete turnaround, a 180. She even got involved with making treats for Painted Planet," said June Hurt, president of Cooper-Young Community Association.
Although the services come at no cost to the women, it does come with a price for the business. Painted Planet displays various artwork from artists and from each painting sold, the ministry receives a portion of the sales.
"The artists get half of the total price and Painted Planet gets half and whatever is left after our operation expenses, goes towards the Healing Planet ministry," said Bowers. However, if nothing is sold there isn’t a profit to be made.
Bowers never took any money from the women who benefit from Healing Planet and with all the help from the public, she still feels awkward accepting donations. But she knows how much the company means to so many women.
“Until this last crunch I never really had to take any cash,” said Bowers.
She also knows amazing things happen to some of the people who visit on the second Monday of each month.
“We’ve got so many wonderful healings that you just wouldn’t believe where people have come in and they’ve been given death sentences pretty much,” said Bowers.
The ministry isn’t limited to breast cancer --- whether its lupus, multiple sclerosis or diabetes the door is open to all.
“We have Muslims, Jews and Christians … we believe that everyone is welcome,” said Bowers.
"It is just an all around great place, I think she [Bowers] is an amazing person," said Hurt.
During the interview she received another phone call. This time it was a doctor. He wanted to know if he could get enough sponsors together and pay their monthly rent. With tears in her eyes she asked for a hug.
"You never know, I kept thinking, 'God have you abandoned me?' But he works in such amazing ways," said Bowers.
Once everything is back on track, Bowers plan to file paperwork to become a registered non-profit organization, in hopes of helping more people who suffer from chronic diseases.
Sheila Guerrero
Sheila Guerrero covers nonprofit organizations for MicroMemphis.
You can send her story ideas here.
You can follow her on Twitter @Broadcaster2be.
See more of Sheila's work at www.sheilaguerrero.wordpress.com
You can send her story ideas here.
You can follow her on Twitter @Broadcaster2be.
See more of Sheila's work at www.sheilaguerrero.wordpress.com
