In 2021, BAY-Peace launched the Youth ARTS (Addressing Real Traumas and Solutions) Initiative. Evolving out of our Drop the MIC campaign, it’s grounded in the Youth Participatory Action Research. The goal of this initiative is to use YPAR methodologies to implement youth-led efforts that heal trauma, prevent violence and build community through grassroots organizing, community based art & advocacy.
Guiding questions: 1. What does it look like to shift the culture of violence towards a culture of wellness? How can art, cultural work, advocacy and community organizing be a catalyst for healing, transformation & transmutation of violence? 2. How are we healing/do we heal, personally and collectively?
To gather more data this year, we are hosting healing circulos for OUSD students, admin/teachers as well as North Oakland families. We are also gathering input from community members at community events throughout the year.
With our research, BAY-Peace youth will be producing a Community Based Art Project, organizing community events/actions and seeking to implement policies to better support students impacted by trauma.
For more information, please contact us at baypeace@baypeace.org
