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

"The program has helped me learn about community and the others here and their experiences. I met new people and had a sense of belonging. It helped me make connections and gave me something to do."

Student

"I've connected with a lot of different kinds of people. I've learned a bit more about myself and others."

Student

"This program has allowed me to learn how to start and run a business."

Student

"I've learned a lot about growing up to be self-dependent and take care of my needs, while also doing what I love. I also made a lot of really important friendships. Connections."

Student

"I'm now able to see different perspectives."

Student

"It's taught me different things about money making, business and other life goals."

Student

"Allowed me to connect with others. I learned new skills."

Student

"This program has impacted me in a couple different ways. One way has been by making me feel competent here and learning new cool things I enjoy."

Student

"It taught me that you can put something you enjoy doing into a business and made me realize a lot about myself. Bonus, I met new friends."

Student

"Being able to experience new art forms has given me appreciation of graffiti art, and I feel inspired after this program."

Student

"It's been a good feeling to connect to my roots & calm myself through meditation & yoga."

Student

"This program has impacted my world view positively and allows me to do some personal realizations."

Student

"I enjoyed graffiti with CRE8 a lot. His stories were interesting and drawing with him was reaLly cool. It impacted me to get a little more into drawing."

Student

"My favorite experience was music production. It showed me that I really enjoyed music and would like to try it out more."

Student

"I really enjoyed the dance/breaking portion of the program. It was a fun experience learning about the culture, and made me realize how much work/strength it actually takes to break."

Student

"Painting on a hat really opened up the possibility of doing more wearable art for me since then, I’ve customized my backpack. It gave a lot of confidence in my art."

Student

"My favorite experience was creating the hats. I was able to bring my idea to life. I was able to have fun while doing some activities I have not done before."

Student

"Doing graffiti makes me want to actually learn how to do it."

Student

PARENTS

Has this program had a positive experience in your youth?

"Yes he didn't want to go at first then after he went he thought it was his friends would enjoy it, too."

Parent

"Definitely. It was great to hear about all the different things he was exposed to each week and to see his excitement with it. I also really liked that he was able to connect with other kids outside of his normal neighborhood/school group."

Parent

What are some things your youth shared with you about the program?

"He'd tell me what the focus was each week. He especially liked the yoga/relaxation piece and the healthy eating and cooking parts."

Parent

"She loves everything about the program."

Parent

"I feel the program provides a necessary escape for the negative influences that are at hand when children are not given healthy outlets. This program allowed my son to collaborate and network with other children in a positive & creative manner. Continue providing these types of programs for our children and continue to progress them."

Parent