5 Years Faster: PCF Empowers NOMADstudio to Expand Juvenile Detention Center Focused Program

by | Nov 9, 2023 | 5 Years Faster | 0 comments

With ARPA funding provided through Pinellas Community Foundation and the Five Years Faster initiative, NOMADstudio’s Justice Studio program can now help more children and teens unlock their potential through creativity.
Based in Saint Petersburg, FL, NOMADstudio is known for using art to bring positive change to unexpected places. At Pinellas Community Foundation, we’ve had the pleasure of working with NOMAD founder, Carrie Boucher, as the non-profit has evolved in order to continue reaching people who need them the most.

“We’ve had a great relationship with PCF over the years,” said Carrie. “We started as any organization in the area, (where) having the support of a community foundation is essential.”

Beginning with a rolling studio bus in 2013, the organization has since created a number of other innovative programs, most notably being Justice Studio.

Justice Studio: A Beacon of Hope
Justice Studio is an art haven within the Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center. It’s not just an art studio; it’s a place where youth find their voices, heal through creativity, and envision a brighter future. It’s where art becomes a tool for rehabilitation, empowerment, and self-expression.
The Power of ARPA Funding
Thanks to the ARPA funding received from Pinellas County, Pinellas Community Foundation and the Five Years Faster initiative, Justice Studio is now expanding its reach. With funding of $48,836, NOMAD is investing in much-needed equipment and furniture. This expansion isn’t just about acquiring materials; it’s about providing a space that nurtures creativity, fosters a sense of safety, and ignites hope.

“It looks like an actual art studio,” one participant said. “I love the tables. It makes it easier to work. It’s like you have your own space.”

Since the purchases include ample safe storage for tools and materials, more styles of art will be able to be explored, and more people will be able to participate that previously had to be excluded.

Beyond Funding: A Vision Fulfilled
The ARPA funding through PCF and the Five Years Faster initiative isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about dreams realized. With the new equipment and furniture, Justice Studio becomes more than just a room — it becomes a realm of possibilities. It’s a space where colors come alive, where imagination knows no bounds, and where hope takes shape on canvases.

“The space feels much more permanent and official now!” Carrie said of the updated art room. “After five years of working with mismatched folding tables and bent chairs, we finally have an efficient multipurpose space that allows for creative exploration.”

About Five Years Faster

Five Years Faster is a dynamic partnership between PCF, local Pinellas County governments, and the cities of St. Petersburg & Clearwater. This collaboration is designed to aid local communities in recovering from the pandemic’s impact while regaining the progress they could have made during that time.

Fueled by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), passed in 2021, these programs provide crucial financial support for capital needs, social services, and support centers. This empowers nonprofits to upgrade facilities, expand services, and boost community progress beyond expectations. Covering areas from infrastructure to mental health, our close teamwork with respected local nonprofits ensures resources are used effectively.

Click here to learn more about Five Years Faster and the lives that it’s impacting.

to learn more about 5 Years Faster and Pinellas Community Foundation.

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