This is a Creative Re-Use Program

Creative re-use is as much arts related as it is environmental. It demonstrates that artistic creativity and learning can take place anywhere and with all manner of materials. “Junk” has value for those who can see meaning beyond the discarding of old things. Recycled materials can be a viable source for art supplies.

“There is something beautiful, almost magical, about taking old, broken materials and using your own hands to create something completely new out of that pile of ‘junk’. What we often see is a sort of metamorphosis taking place. As the ‘junk’ begins to be transformed…so does the child doing the creating. Both the project and the child grow…together…into something more beautiful than before. It’s an incredible process to watch.”-Danita Raulerson, co-founder, Eco-Arts International

Expressive art forms like dance, drama, writing, music, and painting encourage children to channel emotions, release anger, model positive methods of communication, and develop renewed trust in adults. Studies have shown that children involved in the arts are more likely to become active in student government and civic leadership. At-risk children exposed to the arts tend to do better in school, look for more positive role models and make better life choices. Children exposed to environmental issues and causes, tend to become advocates later in life.

In this new Eco-ARTreach Program, the curriculum is combining environmental & cultural awareness using recycled materials. 

Re-Use and Re-Connect

This program supports the juvenile justice system and is currently being piloted in Central Florida and California. Eco-Arts International operates a year-round youth employment program, giving at-risk teens jobs, real world skills, self respect, and multiple opportunities to Re-connect with their community, even setting aside a portion of their wages for restitution payments for those that need it. Eco-Arts provides opportunities for youth on probation to make public works of art using recycled materials, which gives kids accustomed to failure an opportunity to succeed and to directly impact their local environment.

Eco-Arts is providing these opportunities for youth to discover, or Re-discover the value in themselves, through work, creativity, positive reinforcement, and opportunities to be an appreciated member of their community.

The Re-use center will provide jobs and soft skills training for at-risk youth, with restorative justice benefits for juvenile offenders in the community. A collaboration with the Child Services organizations including The Juvenile Probation Department will be an innovative, groundbreaking model, leading the nation in demonstrating how dynamic civic leadership in the formation of public/private partnerships can serve as a catalyst for important social change, helping communities Re-connect and Re-unite.

Creating a family friendly environment where communities can learn side by side the impact we all have on the environment is critical to the sustainability of our planet.