Students and faculty work on display at GlassRoots in Newark on Wednesday August, 14, 2013. Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger

NEWARK— Working with melted glass and a furnace is a hot way to spend a warm summer.

"I love how I can get my creativity out and make something beautiful," said Keila Mella an intern at GlassRoots.

GlassRoots is an educational facility in Newark teaching students glassblowing, flame working, flat glass and other arts.

"We use arts to engage at risk youth in and around Newark," said interim director Barbara Heisler. Currently they have 20 interns for the summer and reach more than 1,700 students a year, added Heisler.

Christopher Velasquez attends school three days a week and two days a week visiting work places. "My first day I made a plate and knew I was made to do this," said Velazquez. He graduated high school this year and is back as a volunteer helping others.

"It kept me kept me on the straight and narrow and gave me a new path," he said.

"This is my sanctuary where I can come express myself," Mella said

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