Jason Cruz

Lead Expressive Art Therapist

Jason was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Florida with his family at the age of five. He graduated from Jacksonville University specializing in studio art, photography, and film. Jason went on to earn his Masters degree from Lesley College in Expressive Art Therapy, where he received the Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Studies Award given by the faculty and the student body, and is now a registered Art Therapist.

Jason has presented lectures and workshops on art education, behavioral issues, learning differences, race and culture and young men’s issues at venues including the NYC Art therapy conference, International Art therapy conference, Endicott College, Harvard University, and Lesley College. In 2005 Jason received the Isaac Monroe Award for Service to Youth in recognition of his dedication to the at-risk youth of Lynn. He presented at the 50th anniversary of the Art therapy Association. At RAW, he currently is a member of the Leadership team, leads two boys’ groups, and co-leads the RAW Chiefs leadership program. He supervises our staff on clinical issues and concerns as well as offers support and offers creative training for the team and staff to support the work at RAW. He also provides family outreach and crisis intervention as needed.

As RAW’s Lead Expressive Arts Therapist, Jason provides guidance to all program staff on the therapeutic issues that arise in their groups and plays a major role in program development. Outside of RAW Jason has his own art and photography business, CRUZ ART. He is co-founder of Build a New America (BANA) Fellowship that addresses racial and social issues through action and used to serve as a youth minister at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Lynn for a decade.

Jason has been a team member at RAW since 1996.