NATIONAL CITY, Calif. — There's a non-profit in National City, called ARTS – it stands for A Reason To Survive - and they are indeed using paint, pencils, wood and metal to make life better for kids in the South Bay.
"You can use your imagination and make it come to life," Ari Salcedo said, who is an ARTS participant.
She is one of many proud and creative kids, at ARTS.
"We give them the freedom, to play around and experiment and have fun. I see students start to get confident," Sheena Dowling said, who is a teaching artist.
Dowling loves the ARTS mission and wanted to work with youth who may not otherwise have access to art.
"Look what you can do with something that you've drawn on a piece of paper," she said, while talking about the garden signs, the students most recently made.
"It's their design, they drew it, but elevating their work to that level. It shows them what they can do," Dowling added.
The ARTS Center is incredible - from paint, welding, wood work, music and games, they use their artistic expression to create masterpieces and so much more.
"We give kids the opportunity to heal through their art making. The ultimate goal is to inspire these youth to be courageous, compassionate and confident in themselves," Annamia Ruiz said, who is the Community Arts Program Coordinator.
The completely free after school classes range from painting and sculptures, to digital media. It's the old National City Public Library that was transformed 12 years ago in front of Kimball Park. This year, they'll serve more than 2,000 kids - ages eight to 18, in the South Bay. Open registration starts August 31, with classes starting September 12. At the end of each session, their work will be on display for everyone to see.
"Whether it's doodling, whether it's poetry, little skits for their family - that's what I want youth to take away, that being creative contributes to your overall wellbeing," Dowling said.
Their programs, such as Arts at Work or Arts on Campus where they work with engineering and welding students, are funded through partnerships and collaborations with South Bay schools. There's also Community Arts and Arts for Justice, where kids can receive community service hours in a safe and positive space.
"When you find something that really clicks for them, you just opened a million different doors for them," Ruiz said.
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