By Amanda Benavides/reporter

Helping others became a means of helping herself, a local artist told WINR students recently.

Women in New Roles Network met Feb. 9 to hear Jan Stumbo, founder of the Soul Art Project and former SE Campus student, discuss inner goals, passion and purpose.

“ Life is too short to be miserable,” she said.

As a former Women in New Roles student, Stumbo told current and former WINR students they should find their passion. Whatever it is that makes someone happy is that person’s purpose in life, she said.

Stumbo described her 10-year struggle with depression.

After the events of Hurricane Katrina and trying numerous medications without success, Stumbo took it upon herself to pack up her then 11-year-old daughter and some art supplies and head to the Salvation Army.

She asked “who wants to paint?” and 30 kids lined up.

That moment, Stumbo said, she discovered something about herself.

“My passion is to help others heal by turning their pain into pieces of art from within. 

By helping these children, she, in turn, began healing herself.

“You have to stop the negative tapes in your head,” she said. “What you do has to give your life significance and purpose, or you won’t stick with it.”

Stumbo is now trying to help the adults to help the children cope with diversity.

Victoria Rutherford, former SE WINR student, closed the event with a vocal and guitar performance of her original song, “You Can Fly.”

One of the student participants, Suzanne Whitsell of NE Campus, said she had never been to college.

But after attending the WINR meetings and classes, Whitsell said she has been inspired to start two businesses of her own.

Those who are interested can get more information on how to donate to Stumbo’s non-profit organization by writing to Soul Arts Foundation, 3205 Perkins Road, Arlington 76016 or e-mailing Stumbo at jan@janboarts.com.