ARTS Commitment to a “Community of Care”
At ARTS we believe in the infinite power of youth as confident, compassionate, and courageous community builders, transforming themselves and their communities through creative arts expression. In recent years, we have become increasingly aware of the health and well-being inequalities faced by young people, especially those in communities of color, who have been disproportionately affected by systemic and structural racism. We also recognize the urgent need to take action. In 2021, we committed to establishing a "Community of Care" network to ensure that every young person we support has access to essential services that promote their social-emotional growth and overall well-being.
With support from the Clare Rose Foundation and guidance from Rachelle Archer of Artful Leadership, we began integrating "healing-centered engagement" into all our activities. This approach, informed by Dr. Shawn Ginwright's research, focuses on creating environments where young people can thrive both emotionally and socially. Our goal is to develop programming that addresses their needs and fosters a sense of belonging.
This work requires time and a dedicated team, which is why we are grateful for the support from the Robert T. Keeler Foundation and the Parker Foundation for further investing in our Community of Care program. Over the past three years, we have successfully established a robust Care Internship program. We partnered with the University of San Diego's Graduate Program in Counseling and San Diego State University's Institute of Public Health and University of San Diego’s Master of Social Work program. These collaborations have allowed us to bring in talented undergraduate and graduate interns as well as Master of Social Work students, who play a crucial role in creating meaningful arts programming focused on healing and personal growth.
A Holistic Approach to Support
We aim to engage our youth by adopting a community-based approach that addresses the social factors affecting their health and well-being. We believe that creativity has the power to transform our identities and perspectives. However, it is sometimes essential to seek support beyond what our organization can provide. Our vision is to create a holistic approach for young people and community to engage in community-based art-making, mental health and well-being, physical safety, and civic engagement through partnerships with like-minded organizations and initiatives.
We are excited to announce the launch of the ARTS Community Resource Guide, which highlights no-cost services and community-based resources available in National City and the greater San Diego County area. This comprehensive list is organized into eight sections, promoting a broad approach to health and well-being. We will update this list regularly for the benefit of our entire community.
In response to the pressing social issues affecting our community, we are currently working on adding a new section dedicated to "Legal Aid Resources" to this document to further support our community. This resource guide is a living document, and we welcome feedback and suggestions on how to enhance it as a tool for community health. We encourage community members and other organizations to share it with folks and help us expand this extensive list of resources.
Please use this form to submit your comments and suggestions regarding community resources: www.areasontosurvive.org/community-resources/#contact
What’s next?
As we continue this journey, we are committed to documenting and sharing the practices and lessons learned from our Community of Care model. Our goal is to create a vibrant support community where every young person feels valued, empowered, and prepared to succeed. We are excited about the future and invite you to join us in this important mission. Together, let’s build a brighter future with our youth!
