When the kids come to OPYA they enter a safe environment that not only encourages them to stay out of trouble but encourages them to excel beyond the limitations of the neighborhood. And they are eating it up. Most of these kids won't become artists. Art can and does save. With OPYA in their lives, these children are making smart choices, are becoming role models for their younger siblings and examples for the greater Native American comunity.
Most youth remain in the program three to five years, some as long as eight.
Participants range from 6 to 16 years of age. Evening and weekend workshops in arts and prevention, field trips and community sales events add about 100 hours a year. Five youth have graduated from membership to staff positions. All Old Pascua students who have graduated since 1993 have been OPYA members. The program substantially decreases the danger of members engaging in destructive behaviors.