Color Outside the Lines strives to empower and inspire foster and at-risk youth by providing opportunities to creatively engage with art, music, and movement. Every year, we serve hundreds of youth across Oregon and California through integrative arts classes and events in joyful, nurturing environments with caring mentors. Our artistic programming exposes youth to a comprehensive range of platforms for creative expression, including painting, crafting, sculpture, dance, music, movement, mindfulness, theater, outdoor activities, and recurring workshops with artists.

Our classes incorporate art therapy to provide foster and at-risk youth with creative, non-verbal outlets for expression, which can be crucial for processing difficult experiences. Art can help youth manage their emotions, leading to improved mental health and well-being. It also aids in reducing anxiety, building resilience, and boosting self-esteem and confidence. Having a creative outlet can be particularly transformative for youth who have experienced trauma, as it offers a safe space for communicating feelings and processing experiences. By integrating art therapy into our curriculum, we aim to teach our students how to tap into art as a resource for building healthier, happier lives.

Providing youth with the skills and confidence to create art, even outside the classroom, has a ripple effect that extends beyond our students to positively affecting case workers, foster parents, and teachers. Through our regular arts programming, we aspire to have an outsized impact on the community as a whole by giving youth the tools and resources to cultivate stronger relationships with the people in their lives.