Moving Forward
This zine was created by Moving Forward, a program of Youth Leadership Institute.
Program Manager: Jesse Ornelas
Senior Program Coordinator: Alyssa Castro
Program Coordinator: Mercedes Pineda
Program Intern: Sunshyne Bond:
Community Elder: Maestro Robert Castro
(teacher role name) Ryan Mcshane
Youth Participants:
Jasmine Palacios
Aejah Westmoreland
Laisha Fernandez
Minerva Prado
Michael Villa
Ashlee Nunez
Daniela Diaz
For a long time, the yli Merced office has been connecting with young people in hopes of expanding their capacity to become strong leaders in their communities Our team of mentors, elders, and youth participants take pride in the presence we hold as revolutionaries in the City of Merced
rable recognition for the intentional ernally, with our participants, and with the community The thoughtfulness of our approach is crucial for the social-justice work that we ’ re known for, and could not be achieved without engaging in ancestral indigenous practices This is why the documentation of our healing journey has been a ground-breaking project for our Merced team and young people
In the Moving Forward program, the Joven Noble curriculum was utilized to initiate talking circles around various topics The lessons from these sacred conversations were a meaningful part of everyone ’ s journey, and with the guidance of Robert Castro (Youth Organizing and Leadership Institute) and Alyssa Castro (We ’Ced Youth Media), we have been able to archive the abstract healing experiences of our youth participants
In this zine, you will find unique interpretations of the curriculum, shared lifelessons, and areas of personal growth As we extend our vulnerability to you, it is important to take note that these stories are a reflection of our strength and connectivity We hope that our art inspires you to learn more about the importance of indigenous practices for the healing of marginalized communities, our planet, and even yourselves
Meche Pineda, Program Coordinator
Editor's Note
Que Dicen
Ashlee Nunez, 14
Tenaya Middle School
WHATISASTEREOTYPE?
bIbelieveastereotypeisanopinionformed yanindividualwhocriticizesagroupof tpeopleduetoacertainbelieforopinionof hesepeople
HOWDOSTEREOTYPESAFFECTPEOPLE?
Stereotypesclosedoorsofopportunityfor manythatdon’tfittheiridealtypeofperson
Stereotypescanbedamagingandcanlastfor generationsinfamilies,whichmakesitharder forchangeintheworld
WHATSTEREOTYPESARESAIDABOUT YOUTHOFCOLOR?
YouthofcolorarestereotypedasmoreaggressiveItisharmfulwhen weonlyseethemasviolentgangmembersinmovies andliteratureThismakesyouthbetreatedaslessin manyareasoflifeThiscantakeplaceinschoolor eveninpublicAnybodyhasthechoicetomaketheir owndecisionsandyouthofcolorshouldnothaveto beblamedfortheactionsofotheryouth
WHATADVICEWOULDYOUGIVETO YOUTHWHOHAVEBEEN STEREOTYPED?
WhatIwouldsaytoyouthwhohave beenstereotypedisthateveryonehas theirownopinionsandifsomething makesyouhappythenyoushould continuetodoitIsaythatanythingyou wantisworthstrivingfor,regardlessof howothersthinkofyouYouhavethe abilitytochooseyourownfutureKnow thatnobodyknowswhathappensbehind closeddoorsandpainmakeseveryone change,thechoiceonhowitchangesyou isuptonobodyelsebutyou
WHATHAPPENSIFWEBELIEVE STEREOTYPES?
Ifwebelievestereotypesweare lettingthemtalkdowntous Stereotypeswillmakeusfeelthis narrativeisincontrolIfwe believewhatstereotypeshaveto say,thenwefeelrejectionand hateWewouldstaylookingat closeddoorsandnotlookatthe possibilitiesofprosperity
EL OJO DE DIOS
Maestro Robert Castro
El Ojo de Dios nos da una voz
It gives a voice
For our children we can rejoice
We can protect our Youth
With Love Prayers, and truth
That Ojo de Dios will embrace them as they sleep
With protection and affection they forever keep Its made with prayer and sacred intention
Keeps those bad ones away in eternal suspension
After when they pass it on to the next generation
They will gift it as a beautiful revelation
quien somos
- Sofia Figueroa
"I learn about culture from my grandmother."
photos by Ryan Mcshane
el otro yo
Laisha Fernandez, 17
HOWDOYOUDEFINEANINTIMATE RELATIONSHIP?
Anintimaterelationshipis somethingbetweentwopeople whohaveagrowingemotional andspiritualconnectionwitheach other WhenI’minanintimate relationshipthatmeansforme thatwearecommittedtoeach otherforlongerthanjustasingle “onenightstand” Ifeelthat becausewhenyouareintimate withsomeoneinarelationshipyou canshareanexchangeofenergy Spiritualenergyissacredtoyou andwhenyouaresharingitwith someoneitisimportanttoknow whoyoushareitwithbecause youcanputyourselfatriskof absorbingnegativeenergies
Yvonne Bravo
HOW CAN YOU COMMIT TO HAVING CONSENT IN A RELATIONSHIP?
It’s a commitment that’s sacred People have to really know that it’s a special connection and not something that is temporary, because your body is a temple
WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS?
I learned on my own At a young age I was removed from my home so the only model for relationships I was exposed to began at school I would go to school every day and, at that time, it felt like school was just a meeting place for people to date. That led to me engaging in intimate relationships at a very young age
Celebration
Minerva Prado, 15
MynameisMinnie,Iam15yearsoldandIlivein Merced,CaI'vebeenamemberofMoving ForwardforsixmonthsMysketchillustrates myexperienceinourfinalcelebrationOur groupchosetocelebratewithasweat ceremonyTheceremonyitselffeltunpredictable Ididn'texpectforittobesointimate,traditional andclosetotheearthAsIleftthelodgeIfelt peaceandreliefIwouldencourageotherstogo toasweatceremonyiftheyareinneedofasafespacetoexpress emotions,connectwithlovedones,andconnectwiththemselves
Dando gracias
I am grateful for my mother
She introduced me to the outdoors and gave me life
Nature is a place I go to heal because I feel safe
Michael Villa
warrior for my people
A warrior is someone who is willing to take on a challenge Their impact provides justice for them and their community A warrior I look up to is myself I look up to myself because I have experienced a lot of adversity, but I am still present and overcoming hardships to get what I want in life I commit to being a warrior of Palabra by continuing to be a leader and helping
A warrior is someone who knows how to fight through battles that they have A warrior has a powerful impact because they have been through a lot of things and they use that to teach their family and community A warrior look up to would be my Great Grandp David and Aunt Jazmine because the always told me to live life to the fu and be brave I can commit to being warrior with my community by be supportive listener for others
Mia Hernandez, 17
Aejah Westmoreland, 1
palabra
These images were taken while attending Moving Forward
These pictures represent commitment and community While being present in this community I felt comfortable, safe, and respected which helped me be able to honor my palabra
Sunshyne Bond
Daniela Diaz
El Otro yo: partner relationships
when we witness unhealthy relationships they negatively affectpeople mentally & emotionally while teaching us how to avoidissues in our own relationships
Idefine relatio conn tow r s are ough nd s
Man Vs Manhood
Jesse Ornelas, I am grandson to Dolores Vierya of Guanajuato & Juana VIerya of Las Garras, New Mexico who are my maternal grandparents and I am also grandson to Antonio Ornelas of Fresnillio Zacatecas & Anita Gonzalez of Planada Califas I am the son of Eustolia Ornelas of Planada Califas & Frank Ornelas of Planada Califas I have the honor of co-leading the Moving Forward program A big part of what I do is lead conversations with the cohort This is something I have done for years, but what makes this cohort different is this one is dominated by female identifying young people One of the program ’ Principles of Hombre Noble The principles of La Pers
Is a person of their word
Has a sense of responsibility for their own well being and that of others in their circles
Rejects any form of abuse… physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, to himself or others
Takes time to reflect, pray, and include ceremony in their life
Is sensitive and understanding
Is like a mirror, reflecting support and clarity to one another
Lives these values honestly, and with love
This cohort had me focusing on practicing the principles more than teaching them I kept thinking ab how they have been failed by the men in their lives Failed by men that were supposed to look out for them Then it dawned on me, I just may be the first man in their lives that may be a positive example of what a Hombre con Palabra is As the weeks went by and our circle turned into a community and that community transitioned into a family, I began to notice how important the youth in this program are to me I care how they see me I care how they will remember me when they are adults I care how they will think of me when I am an ancestor
Being a circle keeper will never be the same
Jesse Ornelas
yli.org/program/moving-forward
