Group spreads positive message through art

MOSES LAKE - A new non-profit group in Moses Lake is giving youth an opportunity to express themselves through art in a positive environment.

Studio Over Streets came together about three weeks ago, wanting to make a change, deciding to offer youth an outlet to show off their talents in the studio and off the streets. Be it art, music, dance, painting or another form of art, the group offers a unique opportunity.

"We all come from past lives where we made mistakes and we've corrected our lives," said Silvie Valdez, one of the groups organizers and a former gang member.

"We all have a deep passion for young people and so the whole goal is to get young people and help direct them to know they can use those talents they use on the streets, they can use it for good," he added. "They can use it in positive ways. We've got some great people already on board."

Valdez was able to remove himself from the gang lifestyle, moving to Moses Lake a few years ago and is now a youth leader at his church.

"Kids nowadays, they're into music, they're into art, they're into dance," he said. "We can teach them how to properly do it. We've got a bunch of people with a bunch of talent that can make an impact in the community. We can't stop this gang issue unless we make a change."

Jeff Ramos said the group members meet about three times a week and have been talking with local businesses, including a dance studio, to offer resources.

The non-profit group held a "Cypher Saturday" at McCosh Park in Moses Lake, showcasing local talent through music and dance, as well as offering art stations and a graffiti canvas.

CJ Welch, also a former gang member, is known as "mama bear" within the group, offering youth a music studio at her Moses Lake home.

"We've got to give these kids something to do to keep them out of trouble," she said. "From that age of 13-17, there's nothing for these kids. Everyone here is willing to help. You can't save them all but we need to give them an option. Our biggest thing is to tell Moses Lake, 'don't be scared, take stand. If you see something, say something.'"

The community is working at increased youth offerings, with plans to open a teen center later this year at a new Boys and Girls Club location in Moses Lake, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article. The building is now under construction and fundraising is still underway to complete the project.

There are two Boys and Girls Club sites in Moses Lake that offer after-school programs for school-age youth, but nationally, 46 percent of youth fall into a younger age group, ages 6-10. Nineteen percent of youth served at clubs are ages 13 to 15, and 10 percent are ages 16 and older, according to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's website.

Youth Dynamics, a faith-based program that aims to introduce high school students to Christ, is open almost every day from after school to 5 p.m. in Moses Lake. In the future, computers will be available for students' online classes, according to Dave Oliver, of Youth Dynamics.

Welch went out with a group last week to clean up graffiti at a park in Moses Lake, and she said she is working the city Parks and Recreation Department to clean up McCosh Park.

Valdez said the group is looking to not only make a positive impact in Moses Lake but all of Grant and Adams counties. Studio Over Streets partnered with Raquel Muñoz, founder of the Stop Gang Violence Movement, who plans to spread the movement to Moses Lake.

Anyone wanting to learn more about the group or to donate art supplies or supplies to clean up graffiti can send an email to CJ@studiooverstreets.com.