This mosaic art piece is the work of apprentice artists in YouthCare?s Tile Project, an employment training program for homeless youth. YouthCare partners with the Center for Wooden Boats to provide sailing lessons for young people in YouthCare programs at the James W. Ray Orion Center. The artist of this piece found a great amount of serenity in these sailing trips and wanted to depict the happiness these experiences gave him.

Young people in this program create art while learning valuable job skills and earning a wage. They also work with case managers to find stable housing, access needed services, and get further training in résumé writing, job searching, and life skills?all while gaining the  confidence to pursue their next employment opportunity! Participants give back to the program by allowing YouthCare to sell their beautiful mosaic pieces, like the ones you see on display. Proceeds from the purchases directly support the Tile Project.