We’re filled with a mix of pride and bittersweetness as we bid farewell to our extraordinary summer interns. Justin Kidd Jones and Julian Moore have been invaluable members of the Art for the Journey team for two years now, interning at our studio headquarters and assisting with the delivery of our community programs through their participation in Partnership for the Future.
Partnership for the Future works with high-potential high school students from challenging circumstances in the Richmond metro area to “equip them with tools and knowledge that will sustain them through both college and their careers,” including mentorship, coaching, life skills training, college access support, and internships.
Art for the Journey has collaborated with PFF as a Business Sponsor and mentor site since 2020, hosting two high school student interns each summer. Our first two interns, Angel Shepperson and Sitlany Romero, are now full-time students at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Mary Washington, respectively. This year we are proud to send two more exceptional young people on to their next adventures: Justin Kidd Jones and Julian Moore. These two young talents have brought a fresh perspective, positive energy, and a genuine passion for art and community to our organization. Their hard work and dedication have made a significant impact on our projects, and we’re incredibly grateful for their time with us. Here’s what they had to say about their experience with Art for the Journey…
JUSTIN
I’m Justin Kidd Jones and I interned at Art for the Journey for the past two years! I love art. It’s a very calming pastime. Working with your hands to create something out of nothing and just going with the flow is very rewarding to the mind and the soul. Being able to do art with the kids at AJC is so fun. In the fall, I'm going to Howard University to study marketing and communications to eventually go into clothing marketing for a company like Nike or Adidas or become an event & engagement coordinator/planner for companies or rec departments in cities. Being at AFJ showed me what it takes to run the business side of a nonprofit and it expanded my experience with planning and engaging with the community.
JULIAN
My name is Julian Moore, and I am an aspiring creative. As I prepare to start my college journey at the University of Richmond in the fall, I reflect on my progress through the past four years which has culminated in graduation from high school and moving on into adult life; I still feel that there is a long road ahead, but it’s important to stop and appreciate the achievements and efforts of my journey as it progresses. Art for the Journey has contributed to this development by exposing me to various skills and experiences I may not have encountered otherwise, such as learning trauma-informed care and getting to work in a classroom setting. This internship experience has been incredible because I work closely with art and people who appreciate and enjoy it just as much as I do, alongside the other large appeal of Art for the Journey’s work: altruism. I love helping others and seeing the positive impact of art on their well-being. All in all, this opportunity has been wonderfully eye-opening and helpful as I explore potential career paths, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of the amazingly compassionate and creative team at Art for the Journey.
Our staff wishes Justin and Julian the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives in college. We are grateful for their many contributions to our mission and operations over the last two years, and although we’ll miss working with them, we know that they are on their way to achieve incredible things at Howard, UR, and beyond. In fact, if these two hardworking, creative, and compassionate young people are any indication, the future is in good hands.
