Raw Art Works

37 Central Square

Lynn, MA 01901

781-593-5515

mail @rawart.org

www.rawart.org

Organization Overview:

            Raw Art Works is a nonprofit youth arts organization whose mission is to ignite the desire to create and the confidence to succeed in underserved youth. Since 1988, Raw Art Works has provided many ways for youth to engage in art-making that can and does transform their lives. Through non-traditional art concepts, RAW gives children and teens the opportunity to express “what’s really going on” in their lives. RAW groups are free of charge, open to youth from 6-19 years old, and offer youth a chance to express and explore themselves under the guidance of master’s level Creative Art Therapists and professional artists. No prior art experience is necessary.

            Project Launch!

                        Project Launch! is a Raw Art Works group offered to all juniors and seniors already enrolled in another RAW program. Launch is designed to offer support towards planning for and achieving post-high school goals. The group meets together at various times through the year, and students are paired with adult mentors who provide assistance in researching career options, choosing colleges, filling out applications, seeking financial aid and scholarships, making sure tests are taken, writing essays, and developing resumes. In addition to group meetings, RAW’s mentors will meet individually with students as needed outside of the group sessions to support the tasks required to plan for life post high school. *

Best Practices:  

            -Involves volunteer adult mentors from the community

            -Features a parent support group, a separate meeting of Project Launch! participants’ parents to discuss needs and questions related to the college admissions process.

            -Requires participants to visit Educational Talent Search in order to streamline financial aid and college information advising.

            -Provides art-specific college visits and promotes Educational Talent Search’s college trips.

            -Brings representatives from local colleges to Raw Art Works to speak to students.

Areas of college access it addresses:

            Academic Readiness—Through helping students through college applications and assisting building art portfolios, for those applying to study art, Raw Art Works addresses specific collegiate academic needs.

            Financial Awareness—The mentoring component of Project Launch! assists students in form completions and knowing their financial options.

            Social Readiness—By connecting with adult mentors, students are encouraged to be post-graduation minded.

            College Information Awareness—Visiting college representatives, trips to college campuses, and mentoring all provide venues for students to be educated on college life, options, and the admissions process.