YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -
An idea sparked in Pittsburgh is inspiring children and adults all across the U.S. to dive into the arts and find what motivates them.

Piles of rock and boarded up windows at the former Sacred Heart Elementary school in Sharon don't look like much. But, a little "HOPE" could go a long way after a ground breaking ceremony took place Friday.

"It means everything to have this building, it's a home. When you have a picture and when you have a concept what do you have? It's a hard sell," said Executive Director Hope Center for Arts and Technology Tom Roberts.

But, one that's already been made.

The former school building is in the process of being transformed into the Hope Center for Arts and Technology.

"The secret to this is we are teaching ceramics but, it has nothing to do with ceramics. It's really truly all about mentorship and about working with the kids to help them discover what really drives them and what their motivations are," said Roberts.

The Hope Center's ceramic program is currently housed at Penn State Shenango but, once construction at the new facility is finished later this year, their program can expand to not only offer art education but, career training for adults.

An education model started by Bill Strickland, Founder and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation in Pittsburgh.

"Public school kid got excited about the arts in the 60's and started working with kids in the streets, during the riots," explained Strickland. "After awhile I figured it out. The kids were fine they just needed somebody to believe in them. So I started the program literally in 1968, and have been doing it ever since." 

And as local students testify, it's a program already taking affect in their lives.

"It helps us express who we are," said Ramone Battle, Farrell High School Junior.

For more information on the Hope Center for Arts and Technology, visit www.HopeCAT.org

For more information about Bill Strickland, Manchester Bidwell Corporation, and the National Center for Arts and Technology, visit www.manchesterbidwell.org.