YOUTH EXPERIENCES FROM LOS ANGELES AND STOCKTON
INSIGHTS WITH POETS AND LOCAL ORGANIZERS
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY, VISUAL ART, AND POETRY
MAGAZINE
ART BY JUELZ MEJIA
[Changeist is] a collective of people that is passionate about an issue in their community.
-Sheikh Alam
High School Team Leader
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Changeist?
AtChangeistwebuildcommunityandcreateaspacewhere young people ages 11-26 transform into social change makers.Youngchangeistsactivelyparticipateandexpress theirgratitudetotheircommunitiesthroughtheiractsof service. A Changeist is a young person who utilizes their personal agency to create a more just society. Young peoplefindtheirspaceinChangeISTthroughthe8-month programthatallowsthemtopickasocialissue
Changeist builds pathways for young people to explore social issues occurring in and around their community. Teams of 10-15 youth focus on one specific issue that theyallhaveinterestinlearningaboutandaddressing.
“A Little League of CIVIC ACTION”
COMMUNITY
INSIGHTS MATYOS KIDANE
Editedby ChanoL.
This year of Changeist Media members have talked to many community leaders and organizers. Here we’ve cataloged some amazing community members who helped us better understand our communities' intersectional issues.
Stop LAPD Spying Coalition is an organization engaged in monitoring the surveillance of the police state.
On April 20th, 2024 the Changeist Public and Mental Health team along with Changeist Media traveled to StopLAPDSpyingCoalitionheadquarteredatLACANin Skidrow to learn more about current challenges youth faceconcerningpublic&mentalhealth.Themediateam was able to interview Matyos Kidane, who organizes initiatives to bring awareness and fight against surveillance programs that target youth, primarily BIPOCandlower-incomeyouthinLosAngeles.
Changeist media member Juelz Mejia asked Matyos for his definition of the term “police state” and Matyos stressed the structure of our current institutions and their intentions of regulating instead of caring for the general public. Police, followinginlockstepwithinstitutions,“Everything I think we've pointed out has been in service of controlling a population, not nurturing a population. And that's what policing’s function is. It's to control, to incarcerate, to imprison and to banish…”
Regarding the interlacing theme of institutional desire for regulation when he asks about the organization's tie with the city of Los Angeles. In response Matyos elaborates on the lawsuit filed by thecityofLosAngelesitselfandhowpolicearethe mereforcemechanismoftheinstitutionalsystemas he stated, “It was actually a journalist, Ben Camacho, that got these public records. And we got a hold of these public records, which everyone can have. And we made this great community resource called Watch the Watchers with it. And, you know, the city kind of was threatened by that. Police were threatened by that…”, “And so they're suing us to get those records back that we got legally that are alreadyonline.AndIfeellikethat'sanepisodeoran instance that really is emblematic of, one, their intentions of trying to control the population from gettingthiseducationandthisinformation…”
Juelz then questions the reasons for why police would want to reallocate so much time and resources to spying on specific communities. Matyos answers by explaining how there is a need to maintain this sort of surveillance for the means of protecting capital, not the people, as he described, “...police have very special relationships with certain subsets of the community where they have violent relationships with black, brown, and poor communities, especially in South Central and East L.A. They have very friendly and cozy relationships with corporations. In 2020 with the George Floyd protests going on, the Target Corporation was emailing the LAPD Chief Moore, oneononesaying,hey,weneedyoutoprotectour stores.AndChiefMooredelivered.”
One of the final questions Juelz asked was regarding predictive policing and whether its legacy still affects BIPOC communities. Matyos relates that not only have these programs had a horrible effect, but still do to this day under a different moniker, “people are you know, people are dead like people are missing family members. People are no longer in their neighborhoods because of these predictive policing programs. Even if those programs are in name gone. Those people are still missing. Their loved ones still miss them and they're probably not in their homes anymore. The other thing the LAPD does is, when the community delegitimizes these predictive policing programs, pointed out as racist and removed, they just replaced it with a similar program with a different name before it was called PredPol and Laser Predictive policing. Now it's calledinformedcommunity-focusedpolicing.”
This question of institutional power leads to one concerning “privacy”, and the lack thereof for citizensandthemeansofhowitsusedtomaintain oversight on its population in the opinion of Matyos. He elaborates by bringing up a modern example of the lack of privacy, “Right. That's also kind of a great way to think about surveillance. Right? So surveillance, our information gathering, just regular data gathering, whether it's the data that you plug into your phone for Instagram or whatever is being used for those two reasons to control you. To make sure you're not crossing any boundaries by engaging in behavior that the state doesn't necessarily like, but also to commodify you,toturnyouintodatapointthattheycansell, that they can market to then sell more property, thepropertythatthepolicethenprotect.”
To stay up to date with Stop LAPD Spying Coalitions work, visit their website stoplapdspying.org, or visit their Instagram: @stoplapdspying
ALYESHA WISE-HERNANDEZ
Alyesha Wise-Hernandez is a community organizer and Director of Program Intergration at Street poets. Inc, which focuses on inspiring kids to hone their artistic talents. Alyesha grew up in Camden, New Jersey. It was in Philadelphia however where she gained an appreciation for community organizing where she co-founded poetry spaces.
Alyesha shared that her personal and professional arecloselyintertwinedasshegrabsinspirationfor her professional life from her personal experiences, as she explains, “I think the personal and the collective work is super tied together. LikeIneedtoworkonmyself,Ineedtobeableto tell my story. I need to be able to unfold in order tobeabitbetterforthecommunity…Becauseone ofthethings,youknow,somebodylikemegrowing upinCamdenoranycitythatreflectslikemirrors of my own life, one of the biggest issues and
Poetry as a medium is often viewed and portrayed by the younger generations as boring and uninteresting.Whileinfluentialinitsownrightit's often difficult for younger students to engage with something that has no apparent cultural relevancetothem.Alyeshahowevertiesincurrent socialandculturaltrendstoengageherstudents. Alyeshagivesherinsightonhowshebelievesinthe intersection of poetry and love and her wish to instill that connection to her students, she expressed,“Poetryiseverywhere.SoIgetexcited whenIpresentpoetry.Ithinkwhathelpsstudents listenistryingtobeasexcitingaspossible.Ilove listeningtohip-hop.Ilovelisteningtowordplay.”
Following her unique method of teaching students, Alyesha relates the poetry of rap and the original form of poetry, spoken word, to her own poetry. “I think people show up for lyricism because it makes us respond. It makes us feel there is a deep spirit there. There's a deep feeling there.Youknow,Sowhenitcomestohiphop,first of all, rap, rhythm, and poetry, I'm thinking of rap and how it originated. I'm thinking of the faces of when it comes to lyricism, when it comes to poetry, I'm thinking of its roots in Africa, and I'm thinking of just how hip-hop is. This means for expression. As much as poetry is, the drum is a means for expression and communication. All of
Alyesha shares the moment when the artist she admired, Prince noticed one of her poems; it was oneofherfavoritemomentsfromherprofessional career. Getting recognized by the artist she most respected.“Princeismyfavoriteartistofalltime. I wrote a poem about him, my first quote unquote, funny pranks…I said, okay, I'm going to write a funny poem. And I wrote a poem about Prince, who I admire and love, and I did it at a slam…It scored reallywell.AndPrinceapparentlyheardit,tweeted aboutit.Italkedtohisrepresentative.Butyeah,I soldmypoemtoPrinceandPrinceknewwhoIwas”.
TostayuptodatewithStreetPoet’s work,visittheirwebsite www.streetpoetsinc.comorvisittheir
SAN JOAQUIN EMERGENCY FOOD BANK
On January 13, 2024, Stockton Changeists traveled to the San Joaquin Emergency Food Bank. Middle school, high school, and media members showed up eager to make a difference. The team worked together and helped the staff out by packing and organizing bags of food. The work they have done will assist San Joaquin residents with access to healthy food and in turn will contribute to building a stronger community.
A DAY OF CHANGEIST
At 9:00am we meet at Echo Park and join our team. We form a circle so that we can see each other and share our experiences. This is a way to warm up and get started with the day. Once we are done with our circle we gather up as one community and talk about social issues around the world. This is a time to bring awareness and inform ourselves. Before finishing the gather up, we take a look at the weekly article with the word of the day, a question and wish happy birthdays. We then proceed to the morning activity!
At 12 we have our lunch break. This a time to talk about anything and relax. After lunch, we get ready to explore LA. Each team goes to a different place, historic monuments, organizations, parks, or other places that address the group's specific issue track.
After exploring, we head back to Echo Park and gather up to update each other about future events and talk about what we learned at our site visits. We then do a final circle with our team and final check-in before going home.
Changeist Day in the Life
Team Huddle: this is a time to check in, say hi, and connect with each other before the day’s activities really kicks off
Icebreaker: an activity that incorporates the whole team and helps us get to know each other a little better
Learning Session: an educational experience - in 2024, we had learning sessions on writing poetry, using kites in advocacy, and harm reduction.
Lunch: nourishing our bodies and brains while taking a break
Fun in the Sun: usually, we spend some time enjoying nature at sites like Fremont Park, Edible Schoolyard, and HATCH Workshop!
Debrief / Reflection: we talk about our highlights of the day and have a constructive dialogue on how to improve programming!
Closing: after a busy day of learning, exploring, and being in community, we head home
Issue Tracks
teams
Every year, Changeist participants form teams addressing and exploringavarietysocialissuesrangingfromclimatechange, immigration,publicandmental healthandsomuchmore!Overthe course of 22 - weeks, the young folks meet other community organizersanddohandsonservice inthesocialissueoftheirinterest.
Environmental
The Environmental Issue track focuses on hands-on field trips where Changeist, youth get to work in gardens, explore natural habitats and learn about issues surrounding the environment. They also learn about different ways they can help contribute to the environment.
MentalHealth
Immigration teamAOC and
Stockton IssueTrackTeams
Justice:Team
Butterfly/Lorax
MentalPublicHealth: TeamHealingHavenand Environmental
“I believe youth can make a change and they are able to understand issuesgoingonintheworld”AileenPak
Interviewed by Ariana Bardales and Mariana Bardales
Middle School
The middle school group consists of two teams. Each team focuses on three issue tracks; housing justice, animal justice, and environmental justice. The students explore these issues as they become more aware of what is happening in their community.
Words from Jamaine and Aileen
Jemaine is a fellow in the middle school group.
“The middle school team is very different. They talk about pokemon, a lot more kid stuff, it brings me back to my time in middle school with my friends. It’s really cool hanging out with them” -Jamaine Adams
“They’restilltryingtofindtheirvoice”
-Jamaine Adams
What it’s like being a leader
“They’re trying to find what affects them the most, trying to help”
-Jamaine Adams
Growth
“Now I have to take on the responsibility and be more assertive”- Aileen
“They came in here not really knowing anything, now they’re bringing me stuff to talk about, so that’s really cool”- Jamaine Adams
“I’ve noticed that they have been more outgoing and more willing to learn than they were in the beginning”
- Aileen Pak
Aileen Pak is a leader in the middle school group.“The kids here are very cheerful, and it makes me happy seeing them enjoy the space”- Aileen
“I’m excited to see them graduate. I remember when I was younger I heard my teachers be proud of their students and I didn’t really understand it, but now I feel proud my middle schoolers have changed”- Aileen Pak
“Great Working with y’all this year”- Jamaine Adams
Express your creativity: submit your work
2024 Changeist talent
ART
PHOTOGRAPHY
POEMS
EXPERIENCES
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT CHANGEIST YOUTH ARE UP TO
Photography in LA: Oceanwide Plaza
Photographed by Juelz Mejia
Juelz is a high school senior at Rise Kohyang High who is passionate about the arts and photography. In Changeist Media, his goal to document events occurring in LA and provide creative insight to his fellow members. This year, Juelz has illustrated the cover of the magazine with the intent to represent the changeist’s logo colors being curiosity, teamwork, empathy, and adventure!
Despite being known now as the graffiti towers in Downtown LA, Oceanwide Plaza stands as a reminder of a failed project that was made to make money rather than help the people of LA. According to news sources like the LA Times, the project had halted construction in 2019 and has been vacant ever since. The building is currently for sale and awaits a new owner to finish its construction. However, it's important to point out that reporting on the Oceanwide Plaza only occurred when the building started being tagged with graffiti. This cannot be considered a coincidence because it was the result of the graffiti that brought attention to the building. This incident has now made residents more aware of the actions that the LA City Council makes discreetly. The LA Dodgers Gondola project is another plan to promote tourism in LA further without asking for the opinion of the public.
“Mourning
Isa / Dani is a member of the Stockton Changeist Media team, Team Bisan. The team is named after Bisan Owda, a Palestinian filmmaker, activist, and journalist best known for her current work documenting the ongoing violence in Gaza inflicted by the Israeli Occupational Forces. As young people involved in advocacy and media, the Changeist Media team in Stockton decided to honor her in the work they do by naming their team after her.
Mother” by Isa / Dani Reynosa
Three Ladybugs
by Adria Vidales
3 ladybugs crawl gently up the tule The Sun glimmers off their young red backs They have not yet formed their dots
3 ladybugs whisper stories into the wind Into each others’ hearts
No one speaks their language but the feeling is universal
3 ladybugs laugh harder than seagulls The soft spiral of time brought them together Gently unraveling and unfurling spirits
Every day a little closer to something that did not exist before
3 ladybugs flew into my heart They buzz around and eat at my worries, while the lake water laps up my pain, leaving me cool and clean
3 ladybugs I love you so much Thank you for being my friends
Three Rabbits.
“This poem, in its simplicity, is a musing on blessings. I came to know the blessings in question through the circumstance of Changeist. To the other two rabbits - you know who you are, and I cherish you. ”
It begins with a hole in the wall
Where three rabbits huddled for cover
And in their tired, nestled pile
A bond between them discovered
As the revelation, friendship formed They shared abundance, warmth, affection
A joy came swifter than the wind
Grounded in their care and connection
Rabbits are lucky in my mother’s country
So I've been told this sometimes arises
But I think it is not plain and simply luck
But a blessing, now recognized
Blessed be the way each rabbit found another two
Blessed be the path I walked that led me to know you
Written and submitted anonymously
Photography in LA: Boyle Heights
Photographed by Eli Grijalva
I'm 15 years old, and I go to Mendez High School. Photography has just been something that I think has always been a part of my life.
I think photography matters because it can expose people to different people's lives and show different perspectives. If you're not living in a certain area or a different country, viewing other people's photography, I think could show it.
Especially because I feel like photography holds a lot of emotions that can be shown with, the image’s subject matter and the colors or the way the photo is taken. So I think you can learn different stories through photography, and it's just a cool way to express yourself and have an outlet for different emotions and feelings.
FASHION WITH DONAVYN
Hello my name is Donavyn Belisle I am a soon to be senior in high school and attend Da Vinci Design. In my designs I focus specifically on resing fabric and materials. One of the main reasons I do this is because it helps against fast fashion and a lot of the issues that are cases also when I do get clothes they are 9/10 from thrift stores. Shopping at stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Savers one can save you a lot of money and you are able to find really interesting and unique clothes. In the first picture I am wearing clothing that I have thrifted and gifted, as for the leg warmers I actually made myself. The second picture of the tank top was just a little fun and I wanted to draw something. When I make or style my clothing sometimes it is to show how I am feeling like my mood or who I am overall. Or sometimes it is just for fun and silly. But I think that fashion should let anyone and everyone express themselves in any way that may be.
My Year with Changeist
by Liz De Los Santos
About my Photography
I find comfort in things people often overlook. I like taking and editing photos in a way that warms my heart. “LA Streets” shows the viewers places many people may see as ordinary. But there is something about the smallest of details that never fails to amaze me.Itbringsakindof comfort unable to be foundanywhereelse.
By Ariana Bardales
About my Poems
“My Cryptic Comfort”
“Thepowerwentout!” 4wordsIwishtohear why...?Youmayask Well... Iwanttofeel...
Feelcomfort
ItmakesmeappreciateeverythingIhavewithme Andperhapsitremindsmeofmychildhood, whenthelightswentoutandIrantomyparentsforprotection
MaybeIwantthefeelingoftheworldstopping
Tryingtodistractmyselfwithsomethingotherthanthedailyroutine
MaybeIwanteveryonetogettogether
Havedeepconversationsandplayingfungames
Bringingthecomfortalongwithit
Beinginthedarkwithcandlesandflashlightsisanotherwayofcomfort
AcomfortIdon'tgettoooftenandacomfortIdesire
Anotherwayofcomfort... Mycrypticcomfort
My Poems are a result of my thoughts flowing through my mind. I love playing with words in a creative and free manner. I sometimes write one in a minute, or even a whole year. But one thing does not change, I somehow manage to express my emotions in a way that people can relate, and that is one of the most satisfyingfeelings.
Concrete Luck
My favorite flower
Lately,I'vebeenthinkingaboutmyfavoriteflower
Theflowerthatstandsoutfromtherest
Theflowerthatbringsmecomfort
Thatfillsmyheartwithjoy
YetIfaceanobstacle
Idon'thaveafavoriteflower... Iwillsay,however,flowersdobringmejoyandcomfort
Icanthinkaboutthebeautyflowersbringintothisworld
Ortheimmenseofhappinesstheybringtoone'seyes Butnoparticularflowercomestomind
So,Istaywithoutafavoriteflower
EyesofNature
Beautyiseverywhere Inbloomingstarts
ThoughIallowmyhearttoopen upandloveall
Toseethebeautyin each andeverypreciousflower
Myfavoriteflower
BeautyisinLongingmelodies Thosewhofindremedies
Beautyisinnewandold Warmandcold Dullandbold Healdandbroken Eventhosewhoaresoft-spoken
TheBeautyOfthings
Artwork from Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
BY: MARIANA BARDALES
All work is based on my personal feelings and experiences
ART EXHEBITION
Myexhibitionisheavilybasedonmypersonalexperiencesandemotions.But whencreatingeachpiece,Ithoughtabouttheimpactmyartcanhaveinmany people.Ihopemyartreachestheheartsofeveryonewhocanrelatetomywork, and even give their own interpretation and see my art through their perspective. Iwrotemypoem“WillItStillBetheSame”forascholarshipprompt.Theyasked formetowritea50wordpoemaboutnatureorsomethingIfeelpassionateabout. The poem is about nature and how we as humanity are slowly destroying the beautythatisleft.Itookanarrativequestionaryapproachthatwillhopefully helppeoplethinkandquestionthedestructionwearecausingtoourplanet.
Escape
To me, this painting is a representationofhumanstrength and resilience in a harsh environment, represented by the brokenvaseanddarkbackground. TheImpressionismstyleallowsme to create a unique bouquet of flowers that is overgrowing the vase, emphasizing the action of escaping. The vase has been broken by the overpopulation of beautifuluniqueflowersthatare lookingforawayouttoabetter vasefollowingthelight. Watched
This piece shows my feeling of social anxiety. Watercolor is the main medium which adds a soft colorful look. The floating eyes and dark background show theawkwardfeelingofmakingeye
contact in public crowded places. Vines are connecting the eyes and act as eyelashes. This portrays the feeling of being watched by every single person when entering a room, while looking down to avoid eye contact. The dark background depicts feeling trapped in my own thoughts. The pupils are drawn as flowers and portrays the beauty and appreciation I find in eyes now that I am more comfortablemakingeyecontact.
Manipulation
This piece portrays the manipulation society has over young girls', based on my personal experience. The garden arch is society; dark but coveredwithbeautifulflowers.
The puppet is a girl who is being manipulated by the arch. A vine wraps around her to manipulate her thoughts and pull her into the darkness of the arch. The light blue sky is a bright path behind the puppetthatisnotyetvisiblebutawaitsher once she escapes from the manipulation of the arch. I painted this with acrylic in an impressionist style to show my personal art style and project what was in my brain when brainstormingthispiece.
By:MarianaBardales
What if we let the stars shine along the moon in the night sky?
Watch the flowers bloom as birds fly Watch mirrored branches along the water stream as fish hide from our path
What if we take too long to fix Earths broken heart
Will nature still be around? or will it all be a lie?
Manipulation
Watched
Escape
Stories beyond the border
Families from all over the world immigrate to the United States to flee civil unrest, gang violence, unstable climates, or simply looking for a new way of life.
This year, a collective of high school students seeking to gain more understanding on immigration justice and make an impact decided to compile a couple stories from their family members detailing their experiences and any advice.
Fredesvinda C. Story
I am from Mexico City, I came here 2006 to be able to work. The problem is that I don't know how to speak English, and I ca for coming to the U.S was due to the lack of work in Mexico. My things that I continue with my children are my customs and trad citizenship and it has affected me by having to live with the fear of being deported or my home being raided. Something that happened to me was having a job that discriminated against people over 35 years old. On my path to come here, it was hard to cross the desert with extreme temperatures; it was hot during the day, and cold at night. We, the Coyote and the other people on the same journey as me, encountered many animals along the way, such as snakes and coyotes. Along the way we found a someone who had died on the way to the U.S, which this broke my heart. When we were very close to arriving, I couldn't take it anymore. But God, who is compassionate and merciful helped me get there.
In Mexico I left my entire family, my house, and my life in Mexico. I left behind everything I knew in search for a better life.
Yo soy de la Ciudad de México vine en el 2006 para poder trabajar. El problema es que No se hablar inglés, y el No encontrar trabajo por ser indocumentada. Mi motivo fue por la falta del trabajo, Me decían que podía encontrar trabajo en E.E.UU. Las cosas que yo quiero conservar son mis costumbres y tradiciones. Navidad/ Semana Santa. Yo todavía no tengo mi ciudadanía. Me ha afectado por vivir con el temor de ser deportada y mas cuando hay muchas redadas.Algo que me paso era de no tener empleo porque No empilan personas de anos 35+, solo a los jóvenes. En mi camino fue algo fuerte el cruzar el desierto, con las temperaturas extremas. (Calor por el día, y Frio por la Noche) También escuchamos muchos animales por el camino, como víboras, coyotes. Y también por el camino encontramos una persona sin vida, esto me rompió el corazón. También había militares que robaban. en la personal. Yo cuando estábamos ya muy cerca de llegar, No podía más. Pero Dios que es tan compasivo y misericordioso me ayudó a llegar.
En México yo deje a toda mi familia. Mi casa. Mi Vida en Mexico. Mis hermanos, sobrinos, y hasta mis padres, aunque ya fallecieron.
Sonia A. Story
I came in 1992. I left Guatemala on January 8th, arriving in the United States on February. The reason i left was because my mother died when i was 2 years old. At the age of 5 my father was killed in the hands of the guerrillas. However after my mothers death, my father took us to live with our grandparents. At the age of 16 my grandfather passed away. I knew my only option was to leave. I never had a stable home after that, constantly living with different families. Until now I have no papers since I arrived here.
I am always afraid knowing that they could separate me from my children or that they could kill me just for not having papers. However one of my biggest difficulty was poverty. Poverty of not having protection, of being raped, of not having anyone to take care of you. Living in a country where you have nothing, just life's blows and the only solution was to leave. The bad thing was that we fell into the hands of immigration where I spent two days in jail. I had to lie to them that I was from Mexico so they wouldn't return me to Guatemala.
Well, I believe that all the beatings and violence I experienced, I did not have a childhood. Everything I experienced on the way to the United States was nothing because I came from suffering. I came to the United States alone among unknown people. However. I wouldn't have done anything differently.
For people who want to come, wait for the best time, never stay behind so you don't get lost. Another tip is to help each other, older people, pregnant women and young people come there. That would be my advice, but now, I am proud to be in this country and have my two children. I can now truly say what I lived was an experience of a lifetime.
Yo vine en el año 1992. Fue el 10 de Febrero que entre a los Estados Unidos. salí de Guatemala en el ocho de enero. La razón de mi salida fue porque mi mamá murió cuando yo tenía dos años. Cuando tenía cinco años mi papá lo mató la guerrilla. A raíz de la muerte de mamá mi papá nos llevó a vivir con los abuelos de parte de papá. Yo tenía 16 años cuando me vine porque mi abuelo fallecio. Yo no tenía un hogar estable porque vivía con diferentes familias. Hasta ahorita no tengo papeles desde el año que llegué aquí. Siempre tengo miedo saber que me pueden separarme de mis hijos o que me puedan matar solo por no tener papeles. La pobreza, la pobreza fue la situación más grande fue la pobreza, de no tener protección, de ser violada, de no tener nadie quien te cuide. Vivir en un país donde no tienes nada solo golpes de la vida y la única solución fue salir. Lo malo fue que caímos en manos de migración donde duré dos días en la cárcel. Yo les tuve que mentir que yo era de México para que no me regresaran hasta Guatemala.
Pues yo creo que todo lo que viví de golpes y violencia yo no tuve una niñez. De todo lo que viví en el camino a los Estados Unidos ya no era nada porque venía de sufrir. Yo vine a los Estados Unidos sola entre gente desconocida. Yo no hubiera hecho nada diferente porque no me arrepiento de mi decisión de venir a los Estados Unidos.
Para la gente que se quieran venir, esperen el mejor tiempo, que nunca se queden atrás para que no se pierdan. Otro consejo es ayudarse entre uno a otro, allí vienen mayores, mujeres embarazadas y jóvenes. Esos serian mis consejos, pero ahora, estoy orgullosa por estar en este país y tener mis dos hijos/ Que lo que viví fue una experiencia de la vida.
LA Photography
TAKING INISIATIVE AND ACTING FOR CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Team Medha Patkar organized a free clothing swap. Thrifting is a great way to reuse clothes and fight against fast fashion which is an enormous problem for the environment. This event was open to the community so it was a great way to give to those in need, save the planet and be fashionable.
An Environmental
From: Team Medha Patkar and
Team Greta organized a farmers market with fresh produce and lots of snacks. Another approach to help the environment and involve the community. Team Greta organized this event to give to the community and inform about the importance of consuming fresh produce which also helps our environment.
Event Team
Greta Thunberg
Middle school participants planned and executed a beach clean up in and around the Santa Monica Pier area in efforts to beautify our beaches but also protect the local wildlife from access to harmful plastics and materials.
The team decided to create an immigration seminar after attending various organizations that offered resources to help immigrants. This seminar informed immigrants about the different opportunities offered at each organization.
Stockton Changeist Resource Fair
2024 LEGACY PROJECT
Theybelievedthatthesewereallthingsthat wouldbebeneficialtohaveinourcommunity andtheyworkedtomakethatareality.After weeksofworkingtogether,ChangeistStockton hostedtheirresourcefaironJune8,2024at HatchWorkshop.
WhyaResourceFair?
Theyouthdecidedtoputonaresourcefair toincorporateallofthegreatideastheyhad fortheirlegacyprojects.Theywantedtodoit all:aclothingdistribution,fooddistribution, mentalhealthresourcedistribution, upcycling,sustainablefashionshow, fundraising--anythingtheycoulddreamup.
Impact
90+bagsofnon-perishablefood distributed
100poundsofclothingdistributed
50mentalhealthcarepackages distributed
$300+raisedforElConcilio
$150+raisedtosupportafamilyinGaza 6communitypartnerstabled
Fruit for Freedom: Fundraising for El Concilio
TeamFreedom(ImmigrationJustice)sold fruitattheresourcefairinanefforttoraise moneyforElConcilio,acommunity-based non-profitthatprovidesimmigrationservices tolow-incomeandmarginalizedfamiliesin theCentralValley.Theteamraisedover$300 dollarsforElConcilio,exceedingtheiroriginal goalof$200.TeamFreedomisproudto supportElConcilioandtheworktheydoin providingcriticalprogramsandservicesin theCentralValley.
Clothing Distribution
Oneofthebestwaystocutdownon textilewasteistodonateyourclothes insteadofthrowingthemaway!The middleschoolteamcollectedclothesand puttogetheraclothingdistributionto providecost-freeaccesstoclothesfor peopleinneed.Theclothingthatwasnot distributedattheresourcefairwasgiven directlytopeopleexperiencing homelessness.
FoodDistribution
Inadditiontotheclothingdrive,ourmiddle schoolteamdistributed90+bagsofnonperishablefooditemstohelpmitigaterising grocerycostsandfoodinsecurityamong vulnerablepopulationsinStockton.Thebags includeditemslikerice,beans,boxedfoods, cannedgoods,andsnacks.Afterthe resourcefairwasover,theteamwenttoa localhomelessencampmentanddirectly distributedtheremainingbags.
Mental Health & Mental Wellness: Resources, Care Packages, & Support!
TeamChap,oneofourmental/publichealth teamscuratedmentalhealthcarepackages withitemssuchaspens,fidgetspinners, notebooks,books,andothersuppliesaimed atyoungstudents.Thepackageswere donatedtotheChildAbusePrevention Council(CAPC),theChildren’sHomeof Stockton,theStocktonHomelessShelter,and distributedattheresourcefair.
Ourothermental/publichealthteam, HealingHaven,puttogetheraboothwith somestressrelievingactivitiesatthe resourcefair.Theyhadatablesetupfor membersofthecommunitytopaint,make friendshipbracelets,andmakeslime.
The Environmental Justice
Theenvironmentaljusticeteamwas excitedtoupcyclepiecesofclothingand showthemoffinafashionshowto highlighthowpeoplecanreusetheir clothes.Thefashionindustryhasmassive impactsontheenvironmentandis responsibleforasignificantportionofthe world’spollution.Ouryouthchosetouplift sustainabilityinanefforttoencourage viewerstobemoreenvironmentallyconsciousofhowtheirwardrobecan effecttheenvironment.
Tabling for Gaza
Wehostedavendorwhowasfundraising forafamilycurrentlysurvivingthe genocideinGaza.Theysoldavarietyof handmadegoodsincludingjewelry,phone charmsandzines.Fundswentdirectly towardssupportingthisfamily.Thevendor andoneofthefamilymemberscontinueto beindirectcommunicationandfundsare continuallybeingraisedfor thePalestinianfamily’s livelihoodand, hopefully,anevacuation whenpossible.
GoFundMe for the family in Gaza
SanJoaquinPrideCenter
TheSanJoaquinPrideCenterisanimportant bringstogetherservicefellowstodocommunityservice
Children’sChoiceDentalCare
Children’sChoiceDentalCareisadentalclinicthat isdedicatedtoprovidinglowincomecommunities theaccesstodentalhealthcarethattheyneed. Theyfocusonpatient-centeredcarewithboard
CVGHWisanonprofitfocusedonqueerandtranspeople ofcolorspecifically,providingresourceslikesupport groups,helpwithaccessinggenderaffirmingcareand localevents.Theyareanotherspaceinthecentralvalley basedoninclusionandacceptance.
LegacyProjects•StocktonChangeistMedia
“Animal Valley: Resources for Animals at SJC Delta Humane Society”
Directed by Isa / Dani Reynosa
“Animal Valley” takes the audience inside the Delta Humane Society (DHS)/SPCA of San Joaquin County. There is a pet overpopulation crisis here in Stockton, so Director Dani Reynosa chose to highlight the work DHS does to rescue and care for animals in the Central Valley. To learn more about DHS or to donate to support their work, please scan the QR code.
“New Look”
Directed & written by Mikaela Cabang
Lighting & production by Leo Govea
Starring Isa / Dani Reynosa and JJ Cabang
Director’s Note
“My name is Mikaela, a 16 year old Fil-Am/Latinx member of Changeist Media. Through Changeist, I found a new passion in video production and filming. Drawing from personal experiences with family members’ struggles with addiction and near losses, I decided to create a video on drug overdose.
Witnessing the devastating effects of addiction firsthand inspired me to bring awareness to this critical issue. Through my film, I aim to encourage those in need to seek help and support, and to spark meaning conversations, ultimately fostering a community of understanding and action.”
Celebrating 10 years of Impact
Changeist celebrated its 10th year of impact with Sony Picture Studios. We had amazing people speak about their experiences and thoughtsaboutChangeist.
Three friends wanting to make a change have now given hundreds of young activists the space to express and learn about social issues going on in the world. Allowing them to take action and make a change in their communities. This celebration was a reminder of the hope and motivation youth carry within themselves. 10 years of young people making positive change and carrying a legacy that will continueforthenextgenerationtofollow.
The celebration showed cased how the changeist media team utilized their resources and skills to create something that has and will continue to positively impact young activists. The amazing speakers talked about making change and they talked about many motivational topics. One importanttopicwasthetwolocationsthatchangeist provides.OneisLosAngelesandtheotheronein Stockton.
Changeist Magazine V.2
It is possible to create change through various methods and Changeist membershavedemonstartedmanyways tomakeanimpact.Therearemanyways to make an impact through creative mediasuchasstorytelling(Photography, writing,film,speech)etc.Thisyear,the 10th year, the Changeist media team created a promotional video to encourage other young people to join and become a Changeist. Changeist media in LA and Stockton has also created a Magazine volume.2. Both projects took a long process of brainstorming, collecting content and creating the magazine. We also had amazing and talented photographers submit and showcase their art at the event.
Changeist members, family members and friends came to celebrate and appreciate every individuals' creative expression. Making everyone at the eventproudandamazedatwhatyoung peoplehavetooffer.
"Asachangeist,Iamgratefulforallthe adults that believe in our potential to makeanimpact" -ArianaBardales
BEHIND THE SCENES
This year a collective of six high school and middle school participants planned and directed a Changeist promotional video highlighting the diverse experiences of program participants in Los Angeles.
The Changeist Media was tasked with setup and planning filming from selecting the location, set up, and directing the action!
The purpose and challenges of making the Promotional Video
“The main purpose of the video is to enourage young people to join Changeist. When I tried convincing my friend to join Changeist I had no idea how to tell her to join. So then I thought ‘What’s the best way to encourage people to join Changeist’. So then I thought to make a Promotional Video to bring people into Changeist as I never saw a Promotional Video that brought both enthusiasm and purpose into Changeist.”
How was the process to creating the video?
“Brainstorming,I feel like it took the most time because it’s hard to know what you want, and you can’t start making something without knowing what you actually want to make.” - Ariana B. & Mariana B.
CONTRIBUTORS
Nicole Peterson Stephanie Guzman Wren Adams Emma Tolliver
Ariana Bardales
Mariana Bardales Daniel Lakey Dewitt
Juelz Mejia
Chano Lara Eli Montana
Changeist is a Saturday program that brings together 11-26 year olds to learn a common civic language, engage in dialogue, and build community to investigate local and global social justice issues.
Visit www.changeist.org for more information.