California says it wants to keep juveniles out of jail.

But to do that system impact of youth require support for Kevin Rodas art has been a lifesaver.

Hello, I'm Bonnie Boswell and welcome to part two in our series about the Arts and Healing Justice Network or "the Network."

I asked 23 year old Kevin Rodas about the arts center.

The environment feels really free like.

I think that's the best word I can find for like a safe haven when you when you're painting something or drawing something and you make a mistake.

But then there's ways to, like, cover that up.

I was like, man, it has similarities.

You know, it's like in life things happen, but you got to kind of like look at it from a different perspective and try to use it as motivation instead of using it as an excuse, you know?

Fabian Deborah is the executive director of Somos La Arte Homeboy Art Academy.

When I met Kevin, he had like one foot in and one foot out.

Now I see that he's starting to uplift himself and also others that he comes in contact with.

So, Fabian, what is it about art that changes things when I'm creating alongside Kevin that the defenses are down, and art is that vehicle arts is a universal language that allows for individuals to reconnect with their true self through intentional processes.

When when I see Kevin's growth, I know that we're making the world a safer place.

And I know that that's one less homeboy or a young man that has to fall into the cycle of violence that has plagued our cities and communities.

For a very long time.

Thank you so much for sharing that, Fabian.

Creating programs like The Network requires resources.

Next week, we'll meet people who are helping to make that happen.

For KCET, I'm Bonnie Boswell.