Healing Headbands Project® is a nonprofit organization based in New York. Our purpose is to inspire others to develop a healing mindset by integrating laughter with art. Our core program awakens the creative mind and helps those who are healing. We encourage participants to express themselves and capture this high moment achieved through laughter with the art of painting. Their final product is custom printed on special soft UV protected fabric, which is then sewn into headbands. The headbands are packaged and delivered with love. This headband is now a healing headband and is a daily reminder that happiness is a state of mind. The goal of this project is to build a positive foundation of joy that empowers each of us to change the way we think about healing.
We have reached several communities with the Healing Headbands Project and have received a growing number of requests to integrate the project into schools, hospitals and organizations. We are ready to make this happen and to scale our work to a larger audience. Our need is to train leaders that embody the ethos of our mission to share our world healing project.
Barbara Grapstein
Barbara Grapstein is the founder of Healing Headbands Project Inc. As a Global Laughter Ambassador, Certified Laughter Leader and Laughter Yoga Instructor, Barbara's passion is her never ending devotion to helping others through philanthropy complemented by her entrepreneurial spirit. Barbara is actively involved with several organizations including the Association of Applied Therapeutic Humor(AATH), Steve Wilson's World Laughter Tour and Comedy Cures. Barbara is a featured guest on WCWP 88.1 N-Joy show and is well traveled.
Barbara has had the privilege of engaging with many influencers and leaders in the field including the "Guru of India", Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga. Barbara is a corporate consultant for holistic health, stress management and serves to help children and families living with cancer. The program currently runs in child life centers, universities and hospitals in the North East.
Joanie Accolla
Joanie Accolla is the CoFounder and creative director for Healing Headbands Project.
Joanie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a major in Interior Design from New York Institute of Technology, 1992, Associate Degree in Exhibition Design from Fashion Institute of Technology, 1988, and has recently been certified as a Laughter Leader (CLL) through Steve Wilson's World Laughter Tour.