Published November 17. 2022 04:09PM
By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth and elected officials took part in an unveiling of a painting recently at Comfort Cottage, 230 S. Cedarbrook Road, South Whitehall.
The home is used as a comfortable place for parents to meet with their children in a home-like environment during supervised visits rather than the Government Service Center, Allentown.
Salvation Army Children’s Services was also involved with creating Comfort Cottage.
Children who come to the cottage, between 2- to 8-years-old, can meet and play with parents in a comfortable environment.
Miguel Santiago is the painter who created the artwork now hanging in Comfort Cottage.
Santiago, a student at Reading Area Community College, where he studies art, describes his painting as a “Burst of Emotions.”
He says “every child could live a good life” and art is one way to achieve that goal.
A resident of the Bethany Children’s Home, Womelsdorf, Berks County, Santiago will be moving to an independent apartment soon.
Bethany Children’s Home is a haven for children who are separated from parents due to neglect or abuse.
The home provides caring and compassionate staff who “help children feel safe within themselves,” according to the website.
Artist Miguel Santiago receives a congratulatory hug from Paula Griffin, director of Children and Youth, Lehigh County, at the unveiling of his painting at the Comfort Cottage, 230 S. Cedarbrook Road, South Whitehall.
Artist Miguel Santiago and Lehigh County Children and Youth Services Advisory Board member Bob Wegner prepare to unveil Santiago's painting at the Comfort Cottage.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Miguel Santiago discusses the inspiration he had to create his painting which hangs at Comfort Cottage, 230 S. Cedarbrook Road, South Whitehall.
