Art transforms space for juveniles at treatment center

"Your struggles were never meant to break you, but make you stronger."

Those are the words that have been printed on the new mural of Emerald Bay painted by Community Works participants on the gym wall at the Juvenile Treatment Center (JTC) in South Lake Tahoe.

The five participants, all incarcerated at the JTC, had to do something community service oriented as part of their graduation from the one-year program. They brainstormed what that final project would be. They said they felt the white walls of the center's gym needed some color, and the idea of a mural was born.

Karen Houser, a volunteer with Juvenile Services Council (JSC) enlisted the help of local muralist John Holland to help the five young people with their goal. John's expertise helped guide them through the process.

"This brought us together," said one of the Community Works graduates. "We all worked hard and all the parts came together."

The youth spent three days with Holland, working on the wall from painting the strands of grass, rocks, lake, mountains, trees, sky and clouds. At first they thought the local man was going to paint it for them, but they all listened to his instructions, grabbed their paint brushes and started creating.

"It's pretty remarkable," said Holland of the final project, all completed by the youth who had never done anything related before. Only one of the five had ever seen Emerald Bay before, something they can now look at daily.

"We accomplished something that looks pretty good," said one of the participants.

Those staying at the center don't see outside on a daily basis, so a large mural of Emerald Bay gave them a "window to the community," as one said.

The five kids have also become the envy of others in the JTC as they were able to watch the progress of the mural through a glass wall. They hope to be an inspiration to the others and use the mural as an incentive for good behavior.

"It is nice of probation to do this for us," said one of the youths as they presented their final project. "It's now nice and different (the gym), not depressing and will last forever."

"Enjoy what you have learned," said Holland.

Staff at the JTC said the project was good for the kids, helped with self-esteem and confidence, and turned them into believers of what they could do.

The JSC is made up of volunteers committed to working with minors detained in the Juvenile Detention Facility. With care and concern, the Council attempts to enhance the self-esteem of minors and redirect them to become more useful and productive members of the community. The group organizes activities, participates in the observance of Holidays, assists the Chaplain, provides tutoring, donates items and birthdays cards, and functions as foster grandparents to many of the minors. They also apply for grants and gather donations to help support programs such as the mural project.