Juvenile Detention - Mural Project Instills Hope

Here's a story about the right man being in the right place at the right time: 72-year-old artist Arvie Smith (pictured at right) is bringing hope to youth locked up at the juvenile justice center in Portland, OR, Larry Bingham of The Oregonian reported Feb. 14. 
Smith has worked with 109 teens detained in the Measure 11 unit on charges that could land them in the adult system with mandatory sentences. By all accounts, Smith has brought them a rare combination of care, concern, and the opportunity to do something they enjoy -- drawing and painting inspiring murals.
A selection from the full article:
Smith would like to think he has reminded the young men of a few things they may have forgotten.
"In a lot of cases they've been told you can't do anything, you're no good, you're the underclass," Smith said. "For me, I see them engage in something they probably thought they could never do. My job is to say, 'Yes, you can. Sure, you can.'"
Here's wishing that every youth in the juvenile justice system gets his own Arvie Smith.

Hat tip to Darcy Daniels for bringing the story to my attention. Do you have a similar inspiring story about someone working with youth in the juvenile justice system in your community? Send it my way.

Photo by Randy L. Ramussen/The Oregonian; reprinted with permission.