Our Story
We are breaking cycles and building brighter futures for youth in foster care and juvenile justice communities through trauma-informed fine arts education.
Where It Began
Back in early 2020, Lisa Paine, Executive Director and Founder of Juniper Arts Academy, sat down with two agencies that work with young people in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. She had one big question. “Where are the gaps? What’s missing?” Both organizations pointed to the same issue – a lack of access to fine arts education for these youth.
With her deep experience in music, theatre, direction, and nonprofit work, Lisa knew this was her calling. She couldn’t ignore the need, so she got to work.
By the fall of 2020, a task force was up and running, and the vision for Juniper Arts Academy began to take shape. By Fall 2021, Juniper was a fully fledged nonprofit with programs serving youth.
Today, Juniper Arts Academy is making a difference in the lives of over 200 youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system every year, with a demand for more programs and services. Lisa is a certified TBRI trainer, leading staff and volunteer training for Juniper Arts Academy and other organizations working in the foster care and juvenile justice space.
Juniper Arts Academy is recognized as a trailblazer in arts education for foster care and justice-involved youth in our region and is leading the way in trauma-informed arts education.
Why “Juniper”?
Our name is a tribute to the resilient Juniper tree—one that flourishes even in the harshest conditions, yet thrives with care and attention.
Like the Juniper, the youth we serve in foster care and the juvenile justice communities show incredible strength in the face of adversity.
At Juniper Arts Academy, we believe in nurturing that resilience through the transformative power of arts education—an essential part of growth that is too often overlooked.
With creativity, community, and opportunity, we empower students to rise above their challenges and discover the limitless potential within them.
Our Approach
At Juniper Arts Academy, we believe that meaningful connections are the foundation for growth and healing. That’s why we incorporate Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) into all aspects of our programming. TBRI is a compassionate, evidence-based approach designed to support youth who have experienced trauma, particularly those in foster care or the juvenile justice system.
Grounded in principles of connection, empowerment, and positive guidance, TBRI helps build trusting relationships while recognizing the profound impact of trauma on a young person’s development, emotions, and behavior. By addressing the underlying needs beneath challenging behaviors, TBRI fosters environments where students feel safe, valued, and supported.
This approach also equips caregivers, educators, and juvenile justice staff with practical tools to meet the unique needs of each student. Through trust and understanding, young people gain the skills to regulate emotions, build healthy relationships, and work toward brighter futures.
Lisa Paine, a TBRI Practitioner, provides comprehensive training for all Juniper volunteers and staff, as well as other organizations serving Wichita’s foster care and juvenile justice communities. This commitment to trauma-informed care ensures that every student receives the encouragement and support they need to thrive.