FRESNO STATE NEWS

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Exhibit features art, poetry by youths in custody
served by Fresno State mentoring students

(June 1, 2007) — "The Summer of Hope: Focus Forward through Art," an exhibit of art and poetry created by youth at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice, was made possible in part by California State University, Fresno students and local artists working through the MOSAIC mentoring project.

The exhibit reception is scheduled 5-9 p.m. June 14 at the Fresno Art Museum, sponsored by Focus Forward, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving youth in the Fresno County detention systems. The reception is a fundraiser, with admission $35 in advance and $40 at the door.

The youths' artwork and poetry are available for purchase that evening, but must stay in the museum for a two-week exhibition.

The art program, partially funded a grant from the Fresno Arts Council, provides a creative outlet for incarcerated youths — the first such experience for many of them.

Focus Forward's partnership with Fresno State provides internships and service-learning opportunities for students, who help instill or improve basic living and relationship skills and habits designed to keep the youth from returning to custody.

Partners in Focus Forward include several community service organizations and the Fresno County Departments of Probation and Children and Family Services. All proceeds go directly to programs for youth at the Juvenile Justice Campus.

For additional information about the reception and exhibition, call Focus Forward at 559.495.3737 or visit its Web site: www.focusforward.org.

California State University, Fresno is the largest institution of higher education in Central California and has a growing reputation as one of the West Coast's premier universities. Founded in 1911, Fresno State has earned national acclaim for programs in teacher-preparation, health care, water technology, winemaking, entrepreneurship and the Classics. Guided by a distinguished faculty, our 22,000 students receive the academic, practical and leadership skills to meet the dynamic challenges of today and the future in the global community.

Location: Fresno Art Museum, First Street-Fundraiser Reception and opening night is June 14, Fresno, California
Starts: 2007 Jun 14 - 5:00pm
Ends: 2007 Jun 28 - 7:28am
Website: http://www.focusforward.org