Project Jericho, a nationally acclaimed outreach program based at Clark State Community College, has partnered with the Springfield Police Department to bring the “stART” Program to the Keifer Alternative School. Students will work alongside officers to create a variety of art projects under the direction of local and regional artists.

In an effort to increase positive reactions between youth and the police, participants will attend project sessions throughout the fall. This initiative is just one component of Project Jericho’s “stART” Program.

“Our hope is to allow both youth and officers from the Springfield Police Department to engage each other in positive ways,” said Brandon Sipes, Project Jericho, specialist. “If we are to hope that our youth, and particularly our minority youth, are to have less involvement with the juvenile court, I believe we have to provide space and opportunity for them to interact with the police in creative, positive ways.”

“stART” is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Youth Services and is designed to both reduce the recidivism and arrest rates of adjudicated youth and increase their positive engagement with Springfield.

October sessions will culminate in an art show at Keifer Alternative School on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 5p.m. Friends and family of the artists have been invited, along with staff from the Keifer Alternative School and Springfield Police Department.

Project Jericho serves at-risk youth and their families by providing a variety of performing arts workshops, artist residencies and family performances. It is a collaborative initiative of the College’s Performing Arts Center and Job & Family Services of Clark County, with additional support from The Turner Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council.

Visit the Project Jericho website for more information on programs, media and contact information.