Transforming Lives: An Overview Of Arts And Humanities Programs
Most youth participating in these programs live in large cities. They come from 36 states and the District of Columbia. These children represent every racial and ethnic group in the country and include school dropouts, teen parents, immigrants, refugees and gang members. Some live in juvenile detention centers, public housing projects, halfway houses
or homeless shelters. Others are simultaneously enrolled in prevention
programs for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, school dropout or juvenile delinquency.
Mostly, they are "just kids" who were born into economically disadvantaged families and/or resource-poor communities. And being just kids, they long for friendship, approval, protection, security, connectedness and things to do. However, often living in poor communities or stressed families, these youth sometimes grow up with little adult guidance, in fear of physical danger, with few stimulating
activities and with considerable uncertainty about their futures.
Stories like Jessie's are common among the programs profiled in this report. The 218 arts and humanities programs described in Chapter Six touch the lives of an estimated 88,600 youth each year. While they reach children of all ages, 92 percent of the programs work with teens. Seventy-two percent of the programs also serve 6 to 12-year-olds, and 24 percent assist preschoolers.