New Canadians help beautify Glengarry neighbourhood

A group of young new Canadians have created colourful mosaicsculpturesas part of abeautification project for the Glengarry neighbourhood.

The artwork was produced through an 8-week program called the "Wellness Initiative for Newcomers" or W.I.N.It was organized by Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women (W5)and The Initiative: Glengarry-Marentette Neighbourhood Renewal.

The program was designed to develop newcomer youth skills and awareness of individual and community mental wellness. Participants were involved in emotional discussions that correspondedwith the creation of the sculptures.

W5 mental wellness coordinator HadeelElzubeidisaid about 30 teensaged12-18 years old participated in the project.

"What I saw happening with combining mental health and art is that with any emotion something beautiful can come out of it," Elzubeidi told CBC News.

"When somebody's angry, everyone thinks of destruction or vandalism. But no, you can harness that and the way you bring it out to the public can be for the community."

The artworkwill eventually be displayed throughout Kinsmen Park, as part of alarger beatification initiative for the area.

"When we're looking at the idea of beautification, we also look at a way of providing safety and security," explained Leo Gill, coordinator of The Initiative.

"If you have more people attending a location or activating a space, there's less likely that negative consequences or energies could come into that space."