OUR PROGRAM PARTNER New York Family Court
New York Family Court is part of the New York State Unified Court System. The mission of Family Court is to protect children and support stronger families. Family Court works to provide the just and timely resolution of all matters brought before the court, including cases involving adoption, custody, visitation, paternity, child support, child abuse and neglect, domestic abuse, criminal offences committed by children, juvenile immigration, and other issues of child and family welfare. They recognize that families who appear in court may be experiencing a crisis, and strives to create a court environment that conveys respect and confidence. In 2010, Creative Art Works was invited by New York Family Court to beautify the walls of a waiting area in the courthouse at 60 Lafayette Street. Rather than simply installing some paintings, CAW developed a programmatic relationship wherein Youth Apprentices create art that is both personally cathartic and inspiring to all those who journey through the halls of the court. Since then, CAW has developed a restorative and social justice platform that has employed hundreds of young people to deliver messages of hope to other young people in crisis, as well as the judges, lawyers, social workers, law enforcement officers, and staff, who toil daily to address such struggles.
“Underwater Paradise,” Bronx Division, 2019
