Creative Expressions is an after-school program that weaves the arts into CornerStone's job training, substance abuse prevention and academic enrichment programs. Through hands-on experience with professional artists and field trips to cultural institutions, young people learn about theater, graphic design, dance and visual arts. All of the projects are chosen and shaped by the participants with the help of an artist on staff and guest artists who are invited to assist with special projects. Personal experience and trips to cultural institutions are used as a springboard for the creation of projects. For example, youth created a play based on their personal experiences: They wrote the script, built the sets and performed in public. Youth who are admitted to the program make a year-long commitment to attend 4 days a week from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If a participant fails to meet the commitment, a caseworker calls the family.