Destiny Arts and the young people it serves are creating the world I want to live in...the world I want my (eventual) great-grandkids to live in. I am honored to be a former board member and an ongoing supporter.
As a retired teacher, I know how important positive role models are in our East Bay communities. I continue to look to Destiny Arts for their outstanding non violent, multicultural education classes. I truly believe they have saved the lives of Oakland’s children
by offering positive, inclusive solutions to life challenges. Their continued support
for our community is a bright light during such challenging times. They are truly at the
top of my list of Oakland non-profits.
Destiny is a positive, loving community for ALL kids and families. I always miss the days I can't bring my daughter to her martial arts class because I love soaking in Destiny 's energy!
I had the privilege of working for Destiny Arts in 2011-2012. I taught capoeira for them, in their out reach programs in Oakland. I'm also a former elementary school teacher of five years, and from my teaching experience, I was really blown away by the level of attention that they gave their teaching staff. From the non violence education, the structure of the way meetings were held, the acknowledgement and intentional creation of community, and respect and professionalism given to teaching artists, I have nothing but the utmost respect of what this organization does. And to see first hand the impact that these art programs have on youth in the bay area is not only impressive, but inspiring. Thank you Destiny Arts for being what you are.
My daughter danced with Destiny from age 13 - 18. Being at Destiny was the most educational experience of her teenage years, on many levels. First of all was the creativity, self expression, discipline, and fitness that came from the high quality dance instruction. Second was the opportunity to be in a multicultural setting where the youth learned about each other on a deep level (particularly because she was in the performing teen company that has an retreat). I am so grateful to Destiny for what my daughter and many many more have received from the program.
Destiny Arts is an awesome organization. My daughter has blossomed in their dance classes, both at their studio and through their Artists-in-the-Schools program. She has acquired new skills and more importantly, so much confidence! I love their message/philosophy of violence prevention, creative self-expression, inclusion, and empowerment; attending a Destiny Arts concert is a heartwarming experience that gives me hope for the future. I recommend Destiny to other parents all the time!
This is hands down the best organization for youth in the Bay Area. The students engage in community building, creativity, conflict resolution, violence prevention, celebration of diversity, critical thinking and more via performing arts, martial arts and beyond. They learn alongside enthusiastic and engaged peers from dedicated and highly qualified instructors who go beyond their art forms to help guide the students toward success. Love Destiny Arts Center and recommend that all Bay Area families become familiar with it in some capacity.
My daughter loved her time at Destiny Art's summer camp. She learned more team building skills and her sense of rhythm increase dramatically. Most importantly, she was happy there and the staff made her feel cared for and safe. I felt good dropping her off and she didn't want to go home. High recommend you giving your child this wonderful experience.
I've seen first hand the kind of transformative work Destiny Arts Center is capable of. Watching their youth learning to express themselves creatively, and seeing the growth that occurs through that process is incredible. One of the best nonprofits in the Bay.
I had the honor of serving as the production assistant for two years of Destiny's audition, creation, rehearsal, and performance cycle. It was an opportunity to become intimately familiar with the organization, it's passionate and compassionate team, the leading edge violence prevention curriculum, and best of all, the youth and families that become part of the Destiny community.
This organization saves lives and fosters life every day. That is not an exaggeration. The values that are modeled and taught, the opportunity to stretch and grow in ways not even imagined, and the experience of dealing head-on with life issues that can destroy our youth and community, add up to individual and community results that are tangible and measurable.
If you are trying to decide whether to support this organization in any way, please do! You will be grateful that you found Destiny and that this "work" is being done for all of us... I know I am.
The opportunity for my daughter to be part of a multi-racial, queer+ youth performance company led by compassionate and visionary African-American adults with grounded, inclusive values of hope and clarity (hard to pull both of those off simultaneously!) is a blessing.
How often are the folks cooler than any parent of a teenager will be able to pull off for their teenage child rooted in mission statements like the five fingers of non-violence and the Destiny Warrior's Code? Thank you, Destiny!