SkyART’s Just-Us program serves youth ages 14-21 who are involved in the juvenile justice system. Through Just-Us, SkyART staff and Art Therapists seek to humanize the struggle of incarcerated youth by acknowledging them as whole individuals and artists. In a system and society that all too often sees these youth as criminals first and children last, the Just-Us program empowers them to imagine new possibilities for their future and develop healthy self regulation and coping mechanisms. SkyART provides open-studio style art therapy groups for youth involved in the criminal justice system and dually-involved youth who are involved in both the justice system and the foster care system. Through our sessions, youth gain self confidence, self esteem and empathy for others. SkyART collaborates with the mental health teams at partner organizations to help create safe spaces where youth behind bars are able to “escape” their circumstances if only for a short time and just be kids. SkyART enters each partnership with the intention of being there longer than any one youth, creating a powerful sense of stability and connection that incarcerated youth so badly need.
SkyART has partnered with organizations such as the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Chicago and the Manuel Saura center to provide art therapy groups for youth involved in the justice system.