Through a new partnership, SkyART was set to start providing art programs to youth housed at the Manuel Saura Center on March 20, 2020. The Saura Center is an alternative housing facility for teens involved in the criminal justice system as well as teens released from Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) with nowhere to go, run by Heartland Alliance under contract with the government. Many teens at the Saura Center are too vulnerable to be housed at the JTDC.
We were thrilled to be able to empower youth in the Saura and ReEntry programs through art, providing meaningful social-emotional skills for life on the other side of incarceration. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis those plans were put on hold as we all went into isolation under the Stay at Home Order issued by the governor.
As it became clear that we would have to practice social distancing for an extended period of time, SkyART staff couldn’t let the program with Heartland fall by the wayside. We are happy to announce that in May we will begin providing virtual art programs with these teens, moving to in-person programs as soon as social distancing guidelines have been eased.
SkyART’s partnership with Heartland Alliance is funded through a special grant for artistic intervention with youth involved in the criminal justice system. We know the transformative power of art and believe that all young people deserve access to meaningful arts programs.
Art Kit Drive Update!
We are also excited to share that we have now delivered almost 500 art kits to SkyART participants and partner schools! We are also hosting weekly SkyWAY and P3S Virtual Studio programs. It has been a breath of fresh air to see our kids’ smiling faces and make art with them. Check out the SkyWAY and P3S videos to see what the kids have been creating!
It’s not too late to help buy art supplies for SkyART youth! Click this link to visit our Amazon Wish List. Purchases of any amount ensure that more youth have art supplies and are able to participate in the SkyART Virtual Studio. Thank you!!
We need general operating donations at this unprecedented time. Please consider making a monetary donation to SkyART which is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law, so we can continue to be present for kids and our community.