Warfare and unrest forced millions of Syrians into neighborhoods and refugee camps.

Over 4,000 miles away, Corcoran High School students in Syracuse are focused on spreading a little hope.

"I'm part of a community that cares about other communities," said Corcoran art student Mark Lissovenko.

Six National Art Honor Society students took part in The Memory Project painting portraits for Syrian children.

"When I was in Russia, it was like you're looking at the world through a straw. All I knew was what was around me. I didn't really think about the world outside Russia and if I can change that for somebody through something as amazing as art... I hope it changed her life," said Lissovenko.

"I empathize with her because I come from a place of war and all of that stuff unfolding in my country, Palestine. I really felt the need to make it as perfect as possible. I didn't want it to be colorful or any background. Just simplicity," said Marwa Abedrabbah, Corcoran art student.

Each student focused on details that stood out to them.

"I focused on her expression a lot. It's something that also had innocence and hopefulness," said Lissovenko.

"I focused on her eyes. That's where she held the most emotion. She was forcing a smile, but you could tell that she was like in pain. She was sad," said Abedrabbah.

"Seeing them relate to art and taking art and communicating such a deep expression through arts is really so significant for me. I hope they realize how powerful they are, how powerful their creations are that can affect more than just one person," said art teacher Jeanette Capria-Lazzaro.

The best part about it is the children in Syria received their portraits along with some special messages in Arabic.