Sitting pretty: At-risk teens paint benches to decorate KU

Brightly colored benches across campus are benefiting a Lawrence employment program for "at-risk" teen-agers.

This summer, 20 teens participating in JAMS - Jobs in the Arts Make Sense - created and sold $500 benches that are now prominent on the Hill and across town. At KU, benches reside in the chancellor's office, at Continuing Education, at the Lied Center, in the Kansas Union and in the School of Social Welfare.

JAMS is part of Van Go Mobile Arts Inc., a nonprofit, arts-based social service agency that creates constructive activity programs for youth who may be at risk for drug and alcohol use, pregnancy, truancy or delinquency. Van Go created JAMS in 1999 to provide summer job training for 14- to 18-year-olds. Van Go also offers year-round after-school programs for at-risk teens.

The program requires a commitment of about 20 hours per week in the summer, meetings with prospective clients and the creation of theme-based benches during an eight-week program. Participants earn minimum wage, but they receive much more than financial rewards.

"The kids we hire aren't artists," said JAMS Director Jim Lewis. "They learn valuable skills while they're here. They also make a connection to a group, which is amazing to watch each session.

"For most of them, just the benefit of coming here and being in a safe place with caring adults and mentors and time to focus on their creativity is very therapeutic."

Continuing Education received its lifelong learning-themed bench and hosted a reception for Elijah Turner, the student who created it. Curriculum and project coordinator Barbara Watkins said the bench offered a striking and colorful metaphor for the Continuing Education mission.

For more information about the benches call 842-3797 or visit www.van-go.org.