Written By: Claudia Loayza | Photo Credit: Maegan Castleton
What if we truly believed that every young person has the potential for growth, healing, and change? The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs’ work with youth is grounded in the powerful idea that the “leaders of tomorrow” are actually leaders we can learn from today. Through art, kindness, and community, we’ve partnered with several organizations to reach Utah’s most vulnerable youth, those in custody and system-involved, offering them creative outlets, and leadership opportunities, creating an environment of kindness and healing. By rallying community organizations together to show up for them, we empower youth to envision a brighter future, proving that even in the face of adversity, growth and transformation are not only possible — they are happening.
It began in 2019 with the Motivated Healing mural at the Salt Lake Youth Center through the foundational partnership between the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs and the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services and the flagship teaching artist, Tracy Williams. The immersive mural covering the once-blank walls of the gym, was not just created for the benefit of youth currently residing there, but also created by the youth. “How do we bring healing and hope to spaces that need it?” was the question that inspired the mural partnership. “You taught me a lot about love and forgiving and forgetting,” Tracy told some of the youth at the unveiling ceremony. It was more than just an art project for the students and several partners involved. It was an opportunity to nurture hope, initiate healing, and introduce the community back into an isolated space. One of the young men shared this powerful reflection, “I’ve used my hands to destroy and create harm in the past. With this mural, I had an opportunity to use my hands to create something beautiful.”
Building on the success of this now almost 5-year program, our newest partner, One Kind Act a Day, an initiative from the Semnani Family Foundation, focused on teaching the power of kindness. They introduced a curriculum that encouraged young people to practice empathy, compassion, and daily acts of kindness. This led to A Time of Kindness and Healing, a pilot project that blends kindness exercises with the artistic expression of mural-making. This approach helped youth develop valuable life skills, and created a deep connection to themselves and their community. The partnership offered a space for the youth to envision themselves differently — beyond the labels and circumstances they had been given. Many of these young people may not have experienced kindness in their lives, but they learned that they are just as deserving as anyone else.
“The power of these engagements- regardless of a young persons past, this is an opportunity to build on their potential, to find hope through finding voice and helping them see themselves, as well as others in this new light- a light of kindness!”
Brett Peterson | Director, Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services
A major factor in the success of this program is the trauma-informed approach brought by artists such as Tracy Williams and Rob Pacheco. Both bring more than artistic skill to the table. Their trauma-informed approach ensures that youth are not just creating beautiful murals, but are also given a space for healing, reflection, and thoughtful planning for their future. “Every mural is more than just paint on a wall— it’s a chance for the youth to tell their own story,” says Tracy Williams. The mural becomes a piece of them — a piece of their healing. Together, Tracy and Rob continue to guide youth through an opportunity-driven process that encourages growth and transformation.
“Cross-collaboration is essential in creating meaningful opportunities for youth in custody, allowing them to be part of something bigger than themselves. By working alongside dedicated local organizations and artists, we help humanize these young individuals, giving them a space to share their stories, process emotions, and leave a lasting impact. Even on their hardest days, they can look at the mural and know they’ve made a difference—not just for themselves, but for the next generation to come.”
Tracy Williams | Mural Artist & Educator
The success of this program is possible thanks to the ongoing support of One Kind Act a Day, the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services, and the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs). MCA’s involvement has been driven by deep passion for this work, and they will continue to play a strategic role by helping secure resources, connecting funding, and supporting the development of a trauma-informed training program for artists. With the ongoing development of the kindness curriculum and the production of a documentary about the initiative, MCA is eager to remain collaborative and innovative.
“This project has shown us what’s possible when we prioritize kindness—not as an afterthought, but as a foundation for growth. It’s not just about reducing incidents or fostering compliance; it’s about creating a space where young people can discover their value, express their creativity, and support one another in ways that empower them to thrive. Amazingly-this is what we saw!”
Curtis Bennett | Director, One Kind Act a Day
The future of this program is bright. As it moves forward, it will continue to inspire and guide youth toward a hopeful future. We are excited to see the program expand and reach more youth across the state, and we are deeply grateful to the partners who have made this work possible.
“Being a teenager is rough enough without having to deal with the difficult, disorienting, and potentially isolating situations these kids face. That is why work done by community partners is so important. The kids have often expressed how meaningful it is to have so teams of people from the community visit them, work with them, and help them feel seen and important; sometimes when it is hard to believe in yourself, it helps to see a community who believes in you and is willing to help.”
Mason Bennett | Operations Manager, One Kind Act a Day
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our partners who have supported this initiative and helped it grow: (listed in alphabetical order)
- Farmington Bay Youth Center & Staff
- Ogden Contemporary Arts
- One Kind Act a Day
- Rob Pacheco, Muralist
- Tracy Williams, Muralist
- Salt Lake Valley Youth Center & Staff
- Utah Division of Arts & Museums
- Utah Division of Juvenile Justice & Youth Services
- Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs
- Weber Valley Youth Center and Staff
- A special thanks also goes out to the youth who have poured their hearts into these murals, creating works of art that tell their stories of healing, growth, and resilience. As Tracy Williams shared, each mural is more than just paint on a wall — it is a symbol of their strength and their ability to overcome challenges.
“The Kindness and Healing murals have been a powerful testament to the impact of creative collaboration. Working alongside diverse partners, we provided youth with a space to express themselves, find connection, and experience the transformative power of art. These projects remind us that together we are stronger. We not only create murals, but moments of healing, hope, and empowerment.”
Venessa Castagnoli | Director, Ogden Contemporary Arts
As the Division looks to the future, we are excited to see how this program continues to evolve. If you or your organization are interested in getting involved or supporting, please contact Michelle Sanchez, [email protected] with the Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services.
The marathon continues.