PROGRAMS

Los Jóvenes/The Young Ones

We mentor young writers from the ages of 8 to 18 in San Diego, California. The Bilingual Literary Program supplements California school curriculum and aligns with the Language Arts Standards. Nearly 400 youth have participated in the program at the following sites:

• Our Lady of Angels Catholic School  
• Memorial Academy of Learning and Technology Charter School
• Sherman Heights Community Center
• King/Chavez Academy of Excellence
• Sunset Elementary School San Ysidro School District 
• Balboa Elementary School  San Diego Unified School District
• Fulton Elementary/Middle School  Primetime Jackie Robinson Family YMCA
• Juvenile Court and Community Schools  Jackie Robinson Family YMCA

 According to the National Education Association, students who participate in the arts outperform those who don’t on virtually every measure. In fact,students who study the arts score, on average, 40 to 60 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT and 15 to 40 points higher on the math portion. Writing is a powerful form of self-expression offering youth the opportunity to showcase and validate their talent. 

 Los Abuelitos/The Elders

We interview and publish the stories of humble and quiet heroic elders.  Highlights:

Anthology IV  Ernest Collier, a Buffalo soldier, who remembers his grandmother being a slave.

Anthology III  Adelina Moreno Hernandez's  heart wrenching story of the death of her 11 year old son at the McDonald's massacre.

Anthology II    Benny Hollman, bandleader and musical director for the late Frankie Laine. He performed with Tony Bennett, The Temptations, and Clay Aiken.

Anthology I     Armando Rodriguez who served under three US presidents and as Commissioner of Equal Employment Opportunity.    

La Gente/ The Community

We write the stories of the community told through the voices of those individuals who make contributions, but are not acknowledged.  They are individuals who give back and do what is needed in their community, thereby improving the quality of life everywhere.

                       The one who tell the stories rules the world.  Hopi proverb