LIFE Art Empowers Youth to Find Compassion and Connection Through Art
Written by LIFE Art staff
LIFE Art is a youth program in southern Oregon that uses art, mentoring and participatory leadership to strengthen social, emotional, behavioral, cognitive and moral competencies.
LIFE Art has served youth in Southern Oregon for 15 years, providing them with a safe space to express themselves and connect with peers for inspiration and support. Founded as a response to the suicides of four teenagers in Jackson County in 2009, today the organization provides a variety of services, including peer support groups, academic tutoring, emotional support, violence reduction and art programs to over 200 youth per year.
Youth involved in LIFE Art receive individual and group mentoring, access to a drop-in center, and opportunities for leadership development. LIFE Art communicates directly with the families of prospective students to develop an understanding of the students’ needs and challenges, as well as to understand the families’ aspirations for their children. This enables families to be actively involved in the process.
Jose Ornelas, LIFE Art’s Lead Mentor at Crater High School, often spends his lunch breaks chatting with students and encouraging them to go to class. For many of Ornelas’ mentees, chronic absenteeism negatively impacted their academic performance, and for some, even threatened their eligibility to graduate high school. One of these students, Vanessa Guerrero, a recent Crater High School graduate, remembers Monique Ortega, who coordinates LIFE Art’s support group, and Ornelas paying her a visit and encouraging her to go back to school. Guerrero was an online student feeling isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic and rejecting help because she “was used to being alone” said Guerrero. She thanks LIFE Art staff for not giving up on her and helping her get back on track. Thanks to LIFE Art’s support, Guerrero was able to graduate high school. In the last 13 years, since their partnership with the Central Point School District began, 100% of LIFE Art’s students have graduated 100% of their students.
Guerrero's case is not an isolated incident. Many students do not have trusting relationships with their teachers or are unwilling to accept help. LIFE Art has provided the space for students to connect with peers, engage in art enrichment activities, and receive guidance from mentors. Jose Ornelas checks on students’ grades and transcripts to ensure they are on the path to graduate, and for those needing additional support, Ornelas encourages them to communicate directly with their teachers and hosts parent meetings to discuss student progress with their families. According to Ornelas, their approach is to empower students to do the work for themselves.
Xiupilli Gomez, a Crater High School Junior, thanks LIFE Art for helping him shift his perspective on the importance of a balanced academic and social life. LIFE Art helped Gomez see “what it could be like” if he put the time and effort into his academic responsibilities. Gomez is one of the many students who struggled with chronic absenteeism, but he has not skipped classes since he joined the program and even discourages others from skipping classes.
LIFE Art will use Justice Reinvestment Equity Program funding to hire additional qualified mentors who will reach out to youth, especially Latinx youth, identified as gang-involved or who have a significant risk of following a dangerous lifestyle. Mentors will break the cycle of violence by promoting and redirecting the youth to engage in learning and working to complete a traditional high school diploma, GED and/or trade school. LIFE Art will provide guidance, help to remove barriers and find a healthy routine that promotes progress. LIFE Art will work with Juvenile Justice and school districts to refer youth to our program.
“The youth voice needs to be encouraged and celebrated.” - LIFE Arts Executive Director Phil Ortega.
The Justice Reinvestment Equity Program (JREP) supports culturally specific organizations and culturally responsive services in communities most harmed and least helped by Oregon’s criminal legal system. JREP seeks to elevate organizations that have been overlooked by traditional funding streams with the goals of reducing incarceration and racial disparities in the criminal legal system, promoting healing and advancing community safety in Oregon. Learn more about JREP.