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Van Go Inc.'s new van

Thanks to local donations, philanthropic organization Van Go Mobile Arts will be unveiling a new van adorned with paintings from the organization's young beneficiaries. The big reveal happens Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 715 N.J. St.

With support from local donations, philanthropic organization Van Go Mobile Arts will be unveiling a new, vibrantly painted van, adding to the aging one it already has, from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, at the 715 N.J. St. headquarters.

The colorful vehicle, a 2006 Toyota Siena, has been painted by numerous young beneficiaries of the Van Go program, which aims at assisting local troubled youth in finding jobs and self-confidence in life.

Eliza Nichols, Marketing Director for Van Go Inc., says the vehicle will feature several different pieces of art in various styles.

“They’ve done self portraits that are painted all over the van in really bright colors,” Nichols says. “Part of the van has the Lawrence skyline. It has flags of 10-12 different countries and it has flames on the front. It’s quite interesting. On the back, one of our kids came up with the slogan, ‘This van goes,’ so we painted it on there and it’s pretty cute.”

Nichols says the vehicle's unveiling is important to the youth involved. She says that, like any artists, they are excited for people to see their work.

“We’ve invited community members and all the kids will be there,” she says. “It’s a great way to recognize the artists who painted it. It gives them a lot of self-confidence to have people come and see what they’ve done. It will be an indoor and outdoor event. We’re hoping for nice weather. This is just a fun event for them to show off their new vehicle and to thank the funders.”

Funding for the van came from numerous community members and charities, including the Douglas County Community Foundation, Bill Self’s Assists Foundation and Miles Schnaer, owner of Crown Toyota, where the vehicle was purchased.

Nichols says the members and volunteers of Van Go are thrilled to have two vans in service now, as one of the main roles of the program is to transport students from Lawrence schools to the organization’s headquarters.

Lynne Green, executive director of Van Go Inc., says the extra van will help tremendously with the transportation problems.

“We have 20 young people we have to pick up. You do the math. This is an eight-passenger van and we have a six- to seven-passenger van. We’re so excited about this van that functions and is dependable. We were patching this together with our volunteers who assist with the program. Part of the volunteer responsibility is to pick kids up from schools. Doing that with their individual cars was not the best situation –– there was some risk and liability involved.

Green says, in the end, Van Go is about making kids feel better about themselves now and providing them skills to enrich their futures.

“These are young people for whom the community can be a lonely place, and school can be as well. There are not a lot of successes, and when kids come here, we can create a fail-safe community for them. This is where they come and get lots of respect and success and we provide so much mentoring and support for young people they don’t often receive. We create a place where the disenfranchised youth can feel like a part of the community. Not just a part –– a successful part.”