John Lombardo of ArtWorks for Youth sat down with students in Thinking Globally, Acting Locally to discuss the work the organization does in South Africa. At first students were skeptical about how an organization designed to promote the arts could help lift students out of poverty. For senior, Kevin Won it required having an open mind and listening to what Mr. Lombardo had to say, “At first, I didn’t understand the practical benefits of ArtWorks for Youth’s mission statement: to ‘provide free visual art instruction, academic support, and mentoring.’ If the underprivileged students of South Africa suffer from hunger, physical abuse, and dehydration, it seemed almost offensive to assume that art could solve their problems.  However, after John finished presenting, my perception of his organization and art changed. I took to heart a valuable message: when backed up with mentorship resources, art is not only accessible to people of all backgrounds. It is potentially transformative.”