At the SPOT Youth Center, 13-24 year olds can obtain services to assist them in developing skills they need to live independent, productive lives. Youth can participate in a multi-session visual arts program, leadership program, speaker's bureau, participate in prevention education groups, meet with a case manager, health educator, mental health or substance use counselor, or doctor. This microproject will provide art supplies to 10 St. Louis area youth participating in the Visual Arts Program.
In 2012, The SPOT provided 7,139 STD and HIV tests for 13-24 year olds and diagnosed 487 positive results (6.8%). St. Louis continues to rank in the top 5 cities in the United States for rates of STDs and rates are particularly high among youth. A shortage of resources prevents many youth from obtaining information and health related services. Addressing areas of crucial importance to youth, identified by youth, leads to increased knowledge and better decision making.
Youth participating in The SPOT's Visual Arts Program will learn drawing and painting skills culminating in creation of an outdoor mural representing important health and other topics identified by youth. Participants will collaborate on ideas and be taught to express them through production of a public mural. The ideas represented in the mural will offer inspiration and a positive message for youth and about youth for the public.
We will work with 40 youth to develop skills in their chosen area - visual arts, public speaking, or leadership. For participants, the resulting increase in tangible skills is a marketable benefit. Other youth will be positively impacted by new information that they can apply to their lives. Lastly, the larger community will see the power and influence that motivated young people have and the worthy contributions they make to improve St. Louis.
