Sarah Gonzales & students L-R Katherine, May, Kim Espe, Brianna, Margaret, Jusu, Paul

A showcase of the visual arts created by students involved in an art program Nuestra Voz: Latino Youth Initiative Youth, Art & Activism was presented to the public yesterday.  Almost 40 students participated in the art program creating paintings, photography, sculpture from recycled materials and video. This unique art explored the positive effective ways to express their feelings and commitments as they participate in improving their community. Sarah Gonzales led the arts program.

Our Leaders Are Us by Espe, May, Addriana, Peter, Greg, Iris, Vanessa

The talks and exhibition of student’s work took place Friday, July 16^th at the YWCA Frances McClelland Leadership Center at 525 N. Bonita Avenue. Congressman Raul Grijalva gave a very moving motivational speech to the audience of children and adults.

The presentations during the program allowed the students to talk about their artwork and what they were expressing through it. By viewing the work you could obviously see the healing needed by these unique individuals through their expression from their heart. Each creation expressed adverse effects on their lives the current pending legislation will have on them and their families.

Roots of Knowledge by Margaret, Paul, Syrena, Athena

The YWCA Tucson Racial Justice Program has received a $200,000 grant from the Kellogg Foundation to support our Latino Youth Initiative:  Nuestra Voz/Our Voice.  In the wake of the recent legislation dealing with immigration and the attempt by the Arizona Legislature to ban ethnic studies programs, Nuestra Voz is particularly needed and the YWCA is grateful for this very generous support.

Graffiti Nametags by ALL students in program

Nuestra Voz will build on ten years of effective racial healing work to develop and implement a new initiative for the emerging, too often silenced, Latino youth population in an on-going effort to combat prejudice, intolerance and to work towards racial healing and youth empowerment.  Nuestra Voz will:

• Develop Latino youth leadership
• Heal historical trauma through dialogue
• Promote positive cultural identity through youth initiated community racial healing projects
• Provide training for teachers/administrators to promote a positive healing experience.

Nuestra Voz/Our Voice is one of 119 awarded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support racial equity and healing and the only grant awarded in Arizona.