United Action for Youth (UAY)
410 Iowa AvenueIowa CityIA52240
319-338-7518319-337-7999

Program: Synthesis Arts Workshop Year Started: 1978 Focus: Multidisciplinary Arts Youth Served: 1,151 Ages: 12-18 Budget: $325,000 United Action for Youth (UAY) is a drop-in center that offers youth and their families a wide variety of counseling services and arts-based prevention programs. Youth are referred to UAY primarily by local shelters, schools or peers. They choose from a monthly calendar of arts activities offered through the Synthesis Arts Workshop. In the Workshop, youth have access to a state-of-the-art recording studio equipped with a range of musical instruments, video cameras, television production equipment and animation and darkroom equipment. Additional classes in ceramics, lithography, beading, silk-screening and other art forms are offered. Participants produced and aired claymation videos and their own television programs through the local public access television station. Youth in a drama troupe create and perform situational dramas around topics pertinent to the community. To participate in the Workshop, teens must adhere to four rules: Show positive regard for others; donĚt smoke; donĚt use drugs; donĚt play drums before 5:00 p.m. Says Ginny Naso, associate director of the program, "The program has given very troubled youth the opportunity to have positive interactions with adults, to have a positive impact on their community and to change the negative images adults in Iowa City may have of teens."