FOR (Fortify Our Rebel) Youth
Based solely on the needs of traumatized youth impacted by colonization, slavery, oppression and systemic racist institutions of white centered learning and injustice, we have designed Fortify Our Rebel Youth (FOR Youth) program and take back of our youth.
Our program centers around community led and informed indigenous methods of apprenticeship models for proactive youth development, and alternative methods of multicultural learning and engagement to empower BIPOC youth through cultural understanding and practice to help heal and uplift them. Youth from BIPOC communities that are experiencing adverse effects of colonization and slavery resulting in trauma induced behaviors such as addiction, violence, criminal activity and self-harm, will be able to participate in Fortify Our Rebel Youth program.
FOR Youth will be offered at Co-opoly in San Francisco and The Graffiti Lab in Los Angeles. Both of these community led spaces will host FOR Youth, and youth from surrounding areas of these centers that are predominately BIPOC, low income and experiencing higher rates of colonization and slavery trauma, and systematized racial injustice and criminalization will benefit from this program.
We will offer and promote this opportunity to probation departments, nearby schools, and social service offices as well to reach youth already in the system, and/or in need of this program.












The youth will take part in 5 different program spheres including:
- Indigenous healing practice apprenticeship as skill building and trade
- Revolutionary street art mural making as honoring community leaders occupying space and bringing beauty and awareness simultaneously
- Black and Brown power dances including breaking, popping and strutting utilizing accountability to community and teen building
- Rap Force empowerment of voice, narrative, and story
- Civil arts of martial arts or wrestling that promote respect, honor, tradition, and health
By reconnecting our youth to tradition, mentorship, apprenticeship, skill building, trades, and alternative pathways to heal from trauma while helping lift them up to become social leaders and make self-powered decisions and choices that will help themselves and their communities, we will be taking accountability for our rebel youth.
"The FOR Youth project is one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever been involved with. It gives youth tangible skills for a sustainable future and a sense of belonging and community. The relationships and bonds we’ve created are so necessary for their age and a crucial piece in cultivating community. With everything going on in the world it gives me hope for a brighter future. In the past 2 years since we initiated this program I have seen major growth in our youth on a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual level. Aha moments have happened and it is great to see their minds and perceptions open up. In addition, we have youth thinking about what their future holds and offer paid apprenticeships and future job readiness."
Arika Koko Santos
Program Coordinator
This is a full year of programming with two five-month programs happening simultaneously in the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, that repeat with a new group of students. There will be a total of four groups of students that will take part in this program for the 2021-2022 season, for a total of 10 months. 
There are over 20 artists and facilitators that will participate in this program.
Funding: 50,000 from CAC (awaiting word in June)
TESTIMONIALS
STUDENTS
PARENTS
Has this program had a positive experience in your youth?
What are some things your youth shared with you about the program?