JEWELS: Journaling to Emerge Wholly Empowered to Love Self is a visual journaling program aimed at youth (ages 10 through 18) in Baltimore's disadvantaged neighborhoods to provide them with an outlet to express themselves and their concerns THEIR way, but also constructively. It teaches the healing power of both visual art and the written word, and shows them how to use both to express their feelings and be heard. They are taught self love through self expression, bolstering their self esteem at the same time. Throughout the program year, they are given a platform -- a stage and an audience -- to share their words and their artworks. They are given the opportunity to be heard and their words to be received. This is an ongoing program, open to all youth able to get to the Gallery to participate. Throughout the program, various mixed media techniques are taught which incorporate visual art + the written word as they create a keepsake journal for themselves. Both poetry and prose writing are encouraged, providing the opportunity to not only display their artwork, but also present one of their written pieces onstage at various performance events throughout the year. This helps build public speaking skills and confidence in addition to teaching them a constructive outlet for their fears, angers, and concerns.