As Beatrice Stewart watched residents at the Flourish shelter work on art projects at the shared kitchen table late last year, it became clear that the young artists were trying to unwind and relax in the midst of chaos.
“We needed a designated art space, somewhere where they can go to escape and work through the challenges and trauma in their lives,” Stewart recalled. The Flourish Initiative’s executive director said space was already at a premium inside the bustling teen and young adult shelter. Turning her vision into reality would be challenging.
That’s when she connected with Job Point’s director of affordable housing, Travis Kroner, and a new idea began to take shape. That idea was the Art Shed.
“They told me what their vision was and the budget they had to work with,” Kroner said. “I drafted plans for a shed that fit their needs and stayed within their budget. Once they gave the approval, our students got to work.”
Kroner noted that it was perfect timing for Job Point’s YouthBuild and carpentry programs. Those programs had just completed construction at their affordable housing project on Lynn Street and were waiting for approvals to begin construction on their Garth Avenue project.
The project gave YouthBuild students the opportunity to carry out every aspect of the building process, but on a small scale.
“We were able to use all the skills we teach when we build a full-scale home,” Kroner said. “It was a great fit for what we do in our program. And we got to help another great community organization.”
Throughout the spring months, students from the two Job Point programs worked together to build the twelve-by-eight-foot Art Shed, giving the residents at Flourish’s Youth Shelter a new retreat and a place to call their own. The project was also supported by donations from the Downtown Optimist Club and the Community Foundation of Central Missouri.
The Art Shed officially opened on September 10.
“It’s just so exciting to see that this vision we had is finally here,” Stewart said. “Our residents really needed this space.”
While some supplies have already been donated by the Veterans United Foundation, additional planning is underway through another collaborative partnership with Access Arts. Sarah Catlin, Access Arts executive director, said her organization is looking forward to helping design the space and, working with the youth in the house, coming up with recommendations for basic supplies.
The multi-collaborative project fits Job Point’s mission perfectly, said John Scalise, the organization’s president and CEO.
“We all have the same mission,” he said. “We want to help people who are struggling get from where they are today to where they really want to go.”
