Using art to bring together kids on Buffalo's west side

Young refugees are getting a big boost to help them better immerse in the culture of Western New York.

“...newcomer youth face daunting hurdles including learning a new language, which can be isolating at a critical stage in their development,” said Virginia Barron, Buffalo String Works executive director and co-founder in a news release.

This is where the ArtsBridge! Program is stepping in to help.

It’s a collaboration between Buffalo String Works, The Burchfield Penney Art Center, and Neglia Ballet Artists to offer a a therapeutic program using creativity to bridge the cultural gaps for people new to America.

Using art, music, and dance - the program helps show young people that although they may be from different backgrounds, some things transcend language. Art.

“It’s how we define ourselves a a culture, as a people, as a city, it’s how we tell our story. And, it’s that thing that is left behind when we all depart from this earth.” Said Mary Kozub, educational program director at Burchfield Penney.

The program was given $18,500 dollars by the Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation to fund this two-week program.

The money is going to give dance and strings lessons to the students, provide snacks and lunches, and art supplies that they’ll be able to take home at the end of the week.

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