WORCESTER — The day after Donald Trump was elected back to the White House, a small group, distraught by the result, met to take pity and work off some anxiety through crafts.

The Burncoat Center for the Arts and Wellness hosted an impromptu event Wednesday for people who needed support after Trump’s election.

“(The decision to hold the event) was an overwhelming sense of needing a community this morning and knowing that we have the space and the means,” said Kim Mowers, co-owner of the Burncoat Center for the Arts and Wellness.

More: Trump makes gains in Worcester County: See city-by-city Central Mass. election results.

Trump supporters they were very happy to see the former president return to his station with more support than ever, and in central Massachusetts, supporters said they hoped he would improve the economy, establish oil pipelines, close the US southern border and begin deportations in mass.

However, those who opposed him and support Vice President Kamala Harris were shot down.

As participants painted, sewed and worked on coloring books, they discussed their dismay at how they believe Trump’s policies could affect the country.

Some described crying in the 24 hours after the election and worrying about friends or family in more conservative states who don’t have the protections for abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights that Massachusetts has enacted.

Barbara Alteri, the other co-owner of the Burncoat Center for the Arts and Wellness, said her daughter, a first-time voter who volunteered at Planned Parenthood Wednesday night, was on the fence.

“That weight really weighed me down,” Alteri said. “I woke up this morning first thing I did was look at my phone with tears in my eyes… I texted him right away to see how he was doing.”

Alteri said the environmental policy has also affected her and Mowers, as they run a green company.

Mariah Amsden of West Boylston said she felt very, “very anxious” and depressed after the election.

“I wanted to see like-minded, compassionate people,” Amsden said of the gathering.

Atticus Clay of Worcester said they are concerned about friends in the LGBTQ+ community across the country.

“I don’t want to see friends hiding again. In 2016, I had friends disappear and losing that connection is hard,” Clay said. “Fear will not make things better. Community is the only way to get through this.”

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Stressed Harris supporters solve their anxiety with crafts