Photograph of a smiling teenage girl with short hair and glasses, holding up a poster of herself as her superhero "Colorful Carole"

Colorful Carole - Created by C. (age 14) and designed by Lauren Marshall.

 

At The Superhero Project, we envision a global community of families and artists who collaboratively create joy as we welcome and celebrate the contributions of every child to the world.

Using the power of art as a tool for healing, we empower youth impacted by serious illnesses, disabilities, community trauma, and other complex mental health or medical needs. We interview kids and teens about who they are beyond their diagnosis and how they want to make a positive difference in the world - their superhero mission. The storytelling collaboration continues when digital illustrators - a global League of Extraordinary Artists - design the alter egos the children have described - visual representations of their strength, courage, creativity and resilience. Families receive inspiring posters of their superheroes to treasure forever.

Over 1600 superheroes from nearly two dozen countries have participated and wowed our artists with their creativity, humor, kindness and determination. Guided by our core values of imagination, inclusion, representation and joy, The Superhero Project recognizes the tremendous gifts and unique contributions that each child brings to the world. Parents share that participation increases self-confidence, fosters resilience, builds feelings of connection, and inspires hope.

One mom of a child with disabilities shared:

“As parents on this journey, we are regularly faced with having to detail out all the things our kiddo can’t do. This is a cool and meaningful way to showcase the awesomeness of our differently abled warriors!”

Click here to make a contribution!

The Superhero Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is free for and open to families around the world.

ABOUT THE SUPERHERO PROJECT

Athena the Wonder Girl Created by A. (age 5), Designed by Darcy Dee

Athena the Wonder Girl
Created by A. (age 5), Designed by Darcy Dee

Narcolepsy Created by D. (age 18), Designed by David Reilly

Narcolepsy
Created by D. (age 18), Designed by David Reilly

Die Verzaubernde Frieda Inspired by F. (age 8), Designed by Taryn Cozzy

Die Verzaubernde Frieda
Inspired by F. (age 8), Designed by Taryn Cozzy

Courageous Cass Inspired by C. (age 7), Designed by Taryn Cozzy

Courageous Cass
Inspired by C. (age 7), Designed by Taryn Cozzy

The Amazing Amelia Inspired by A. (age 5), Designed by Tabitha Noble

The Amazing Amelia
Inspired by A. (age 5), Designed by Tabitha Noble

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for having our Amazing Amelia as a part of The Superhero Project. We received our picture on the same day we came from another hospital discharge. Needless to say, the timing was perfect – just what we needed to put a smile on our faces!
It was truly an honor to have our daughter made into a Superhero. She is our little warrior! Thank you, Lisa, for all of your help, and thank you, Tabitha, for this amazing piece of art that we cannot wait to frame. We will treasure it forever!!!!”

— John & Shelly, Amelia’s parents

Sadie Strong Created by S. (age 8), Designed by Andrea Hatvani

Sadie Strong
Created by S. (age 8), Designed by Andrea Hatvani

Super Silly Philly Inspired by P. (age 3), Designed by Charlie Ngo

Super Silly Philly
Inspired by P. (age 3), Designed by Charlie Ngo

Majestic Inspired by T. (age 8), Designed by Derp Queen Lily

Majestic
Inspired by T. (age 8), Designed by Derp Queen Lily

Robomax Created by M. (age 8), Designed by Rami Efal

Robomax
Created by M. (age 8), Designed by Rami Efal

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for this beautiful poster of our superhero girls. These little ladies were so excited to see their poster and read about their superhero selves. Having two kids with what is considered a terminal illness by the medical professionals has been challenging. But we don’t talk about that part at our house. We talk about all they accomplish, all of their strengths, how the two ‘affected’ girls are small and mighty, and all we have learned together as a family. Individuals like you help us do that to the fullest. The posters will be proudly displayed in their rooms as a reminder that they truly are superheroes – but so are you to us.
Thank you again.”

— Peppermint the Elf, Wonder Liza, and Sky (aka as Emily, Liza, and Ella) and their very grateful parents, Nick and Ann Marie

Peppermint the Elf, Wonder Liza, and Sky Designed by Eric Angel Pabon

Peppermint the Elf, Wonder Liza, and Sky
Designed by Eric Angel Pabon

The Superhero Project is proud to partner with the Songs of Love Foundation, which also uses the arts as a tool for healing. They create free, personalized, original songs to uplift children and teens currently facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges. Since 1996, The Songs of Love Foundation has reached out to over 36,000 children in over 600 hospitals and health care facilities in all 50 states and the world. To request a song, visit their website.

The Superhero Project gratefully acknowledges the generous in-kind support of FASTSIGNS Cleveland, Copy King, and Foote Printing for providing posters to families!