RAW exists on the face of this earth to find kids who are ready to jump off it. When a child gets to that edge where life seems to be offering little, we at RAW reach out and offer them a paintbrush. The beauty of this gesture is that a falling child will grab onto it! Raw Art Works Program Brochure

In Lynn, Massachusetts, in a place called RAW Space conceptualized, developed and governed by young people, at-risk youth can walk in and find their visual voices through an innovative program known as "RAW Art Works."

Staffed by professional arts therapists (who are both artists and well-qualified youth workers) RAW Art Works provides an effective blend of art and therapy that challenges young people to reexamine assumptions about themselves, art, creativity, and trust of others as they work on compelling art concepts. In the "Breaking Broken Records" concept, for example, RAWKids are encouraged to "Write down on these records places where you feel stuck, where the 'needle keeps skipping.' Now smash the record. Take the pieces and create a sculpture that describes changes you want to make in your life. How you will change the 'broken record.'" For the "Find Me" concept, the young people are asked to "Take photos of yourself. Project them onto canvas. With this basic outline transform what you actually look like into how you actually feel. Step back. Recognize your strengths and see what you want to change."

Concepts are explored in group settings designed to meet the needs of specific youth populations, such as adolescent boys who live in public housing. "Men 2 Be" offers these vulnerable young people weekly meetings to address the process of becoming a man. Similarly, "Girl Power" gives adolescent girls the chance to give and receive positive feedback for their artwork. In "Studio Time," art-motivated high school students enhance their ability to problem-solve, collaborate with peers, and become self-directed. The "RAWChiefs" program meets dual needs - for younger children to have strong mentors and for dedicated teens, ages 15 - 20, to stretch themselves by training and apprenticing with a RAW art therapist.

For more than a decade, thousands of young people have been filling their "life tool boxes" as well as their art portfolios through RAW Art Works. As a Massachusetts Cultural Council panelist noted, "These folks have it all together - they have the art thing down and they have the social service thing nailed."