The Center for Social Justice Youth Development
In June 2022, I joined this non-profit program to understand my community and myself better. The Center provides a safe space for youths, encouraging them to voice their opinions, whether for creating healthy boundaries or promoting social justice. I have helped organize and lead campaign events, like our local Youth & Culture Fest. This event was meant to prompt and bring diverse cultures together with several youth-led workshops, which voiced their passions and concerns with the community. In all, I am grateful to have been part of the YAB. This program has given me the opportunity to socialize with people of different backgrounds and has given me an opportunity to use my art to bring people together.
Library Volunteering
For half a year, I volunteered as an assistant at my local library. While I have volunteered at several sites, I gave my honest effort and dedicated my time to this location. I began with cleaning books, and toys, and rearranging storage rooms. As I spent more time there, I was able to help with small events such as arts and crafts with little kids. I was hopeful of inspiring a small group of children with my experience and knowledge of art and its many mediums. I was able to provide information about glassblowing, painting, textiles, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. I was even able to use my art history as an advantage to impress the children. When I was about finished with volunteering, I realized that I could do art as a future career, as I had done so these last months. This time with the library had given me confidence to continue art, and even talk to people about my aspirations.