YAH “Arts Promise” Programs

For At Risk Youth

The YAH “Arts-Promise” Division, which customizes existing and develops new programs, to serve the specific needs of at-risk children through the arts in a wide variety of community sites, continues to be a priority for YAH. The initial 2007 pilot programs in collaboration with at-risk and special needs YAH strategic partner, ArtReach, at unique centers including the Fort Bend Juvenile Detention Center, Palmer Drug Abuse Center, DePelchin Children's Center, and Catholic Charity’s Refugee Resettlement Program, as well as, afterschool programs led the way to establishing the YAH At-Promise Division in a wide variety of school and community venues in 2008.

In 2009 and thru the summer of 2010, YAH customized “Waste to Wonders” project was implemented at the Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) with funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts and is currently expanding in 2010-11 to include four residential treatment center sites located in Pasadena, Alvin, Houston and Richmond that are within the Southwest Schools Charter system.

Many of these programs spotlight the creation of meaningful and personal works of art that each child may keep, focusing on self-reflection and goals. Additionally, for older children, vocational skills are incorporated when possible, such as screen printing, ceramics and graphic skills through visual arts, public speaking, and problem solving and strategic thinking through dramatic arts, all with the goal of helping participants develop life skills through the fine arts that may translate into greater job opportunities and motivation when integrating back into society.