LYNN — More than 100 successful local women (and three men) attended a fundraising breakfast at Raw Art Works’ downtown headquarters Friday morning, surrounded by some 200 pieces of art created by the kids who benefit from RAW’s programs.
All couldn’t help but be impressed with the four confident, independent, RAWsome young ladies who spoke from the heart about what this gem of an organization has meant to them.
“Everyone needs a RAW in their life,” said Penny Gravelle, an English High School senior.
RAW is a youth arts organization, rooted in art therapy. It offers a variety of free programming from painting to filmmaking for kids age 7 to 19, using art to ask kids “what is really going on” in their lives, giving them the tools to be creative and envision new possibilities for their future.
“Our core belief is that kids need to be seen and heard, and that everyone has a story to tell,” said Executive Director Kit Jenkins, who, with founder Mary Flannery, opened RAW on Feb. 1, 1994. Back then, there were 16 youngsters in a one-room studio. Today, RAW occupies all three floors of the 37 Central Square building, serving some 550 youth annually in visual and expressive arts groups, film school, leadership development, employment opportunities, and college access/career exploration programs.
The breakfast event sold out two weeks ago, and the non-profit started the day one-third of the way to its $55,000 fundraising goal.
Doneeca Thurston, executive director of Lynn Museum/Lynn Arts, served as moderator. Thurston, a Lynn native and 2008 Classical High graduate, was joined on stage by RAW students Heady Acosta, Alisha Bautista, Angie Gauthier, and Gravelle.
“Sixteen years ago, I was a student in this very building. I am a RAW grad, and this place changed my life,” Thurston said, with her proud mom looking on. “It was amazing the sense of self I had at age 17, and it was RAW that played a major part in that.”
Gauthier, a St. Mary’s High senior, said “RAW is a second home to me. I’ve learned a lot here. When I started, as a seventh-grader, I was so self-conscious and scared … I feel supported and comforted every time I’m here. (The staff) radiates positivity.”
Gauthier said she’s interested in a cosmetology career, that college is not part of her plan, even though counselors and friends tell her to go to college anyway. “RAW gives me every single resource for me to follow the life I want. It has prepared me for the world outside of RAW.”
Gravelle said “RAW is special to me. It’s always been a safe place to be, with compassionate and understanding leaders and classmates who are always there when you need to talk to someone.”
Bautista, a sophomore at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, has been coming to RAW for more than 10 years. “I was really, really shy the first day I walked into RAW. But right away, I thought ‘I’m OK here.’”
Acosta, a freshman at English High, agreed, “RAW helped me come out of my shell and has helped me grow so much. Even on a day I’m feeling low, at the end of the day at RAW I’m happy.”
Bill Brotherton can be reached at [email protected].
