KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City teen is hoping to lead his peers in the right direction.
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Christopher Ortiz-Cruz, 13, has developed a business to help kids like himself redirect their energy into something positive amid the rise of youth violence.

“Right now some people are in bad things, doing bad things and I want them to realize that, you know, you can put it into a hobby, especially a fun and healthy hobby,” Christopher said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City nonprofit is teaming up with the Kansas City Art Institute for a summer program designed to save young lives and lay a foundation for a brighter future.

Students at Northeast High School are participating in a summer program organized by Lyrik's Institution and the Kansas City Art Institute.
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The program offers teens classes in subjects such as painting and sculpting/3D design.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Your first thought is not who you are.

That’s the message the Lyriks Institution wants to send to young people.

The organization brought together dozens students Saturday at the Black Archives of Mid-America to discuss social issues ranging from city violence to police shootings for Part One of a three-part event.
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Kyle Hollins, CEO and founder of Lyriks Institution, said that in a city plagued with violence and crime, teens need tools to avoid dangerous situations. The sessions provide youth with “power moves” to help them think through certain situations.