The Road Map for Life workshops engage at risk youth in a dialogue about the critical issues they face every day with the goal to help them learn to make choices that lead to constructive lifestyles. These young people are those who are adjudicated delinquent, have involvement with the Department of Human Services, have a parent in prison, or live in high risk neighborhoods. The program is offered in ten week cycles for groups of ten to twelve youth in Public, Charter, or Alternative Schools, Community Centers, or Residential Treatment Centers.

We would like to acknowledge Gerry Givnish, Founder and ex-Director of the Painted Bride Art Center, for all his efforts in illustrating the Road Map for Life Workshops.

Road Map for Life Workshop Process

Road Map for Life sessions require youth to identify the belief systems that lead to destructive behaviors and explores choices that build on individual strengths and can lead to constructive behaviors. The workshops use a narrative approach that presents the original art and statements of Charles Lawson, an offender whose experiences serve as an instructive, cautionary tale for the youth. At the completion of the workshops the youth displayed their art and poems at the Annual Art for Justice Exhibit.

Pilot Program

Art for Justice presented the pilot of Road Map for Life Workshops at the Blackwell Center for Adolescents in Philadelphia which serves youth ages 13 - 18 who are adjudicated delinquent with Axis I mental illness diagnoses.

New Life Youth and Family Services

Art for Justice presented the Road Map for Life Workshops at New Life Youth and Family Services in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania from June to August, 2007. The youth engaged in a strong dialogue because they were interested in Charles Lawson's artwork and his challenging statements. The fact that Charles Lawson is convicted to life in prison, and yet he created such meaningful work, resonated with the youth. The dialogue helped them identify their beliefs and understand which beliefs led to behaviors that are destructive in their lives. The workshops also helped to debunk the casual attitudes some of the youth held about incarceration and prison life.

The workshops offered concrete ways for the youth to turn away from destructive beliefs and behaviors that lead to crime and build on their strengths to achieve success in their lives.

top

Recognition Exhibit

The final session of the Workshops was a Recognition Exhibit during which time the participants interacted in a social setting with staff and community members. The exhibit was an opportunity for the youth to demonstrate the positive social skills they learned in the workshops. It was also a chance for them to experience success for their efforts. The youth who attended the event were presented with their bound books and with Art for Justice T-shirts. The Art for Justice Director recognized each of them and called them to stand before the guests who applauded their work.

Workshop Evaluations

The evaluations for the 36 youth who have now completed the Road Map Workshops show that 30 of the youth (83%) demonstrated a high level of engagement and learning, another 5 youth (13%) scored above average, and 1 participant scored in slightly below average.

Workshop Initiatives for 2008

Art for Justice is seeking funding bring the Road Map for Life Workshops to more youth in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia region.

top