I've been involved with Youth Spirit Artworks (YSA) for less than a year and a half, and they have accomplished so much. I loved going to opening night at an Oakland coffee house for their exhibit. I've regarded them unveiling their beautiful and thoughtful Tiny House prototype. I've witnessed them open a new gallery, named after one of the youth that had worked with them and passed away, the Shanice Kiel Gallery.
The youth voice is lifted up and empowered within this organization, visible in their organizing for a first Youth Tiny House Village, in the nation. The neighborhood they call home and surrounding community has multiple, beautiful murals thanks to YSA, and a breathtaking bench to honor a local social justice advocate. They are creating beauty, memory, and art where ever they go. I am grateful to have been able to take their pieces and merchandise to loved ones overseas and throughout the country. I am also grateful to be a part of YSA, a dynamic, creative, and essential community in the East Bay.
Review from Guidestar
Ever since I joined the YSA board a few years ago, I have continually been impressed with the work done and impact and results realized by this organization. Homeless and low-income youth find positive ways to express the happiness and troubles in their lives through various artistic media: painting, pottery, poetry, furniture-making, music. In the process they learn important life and job skills, including computer/technology, event planning, presentations, salesmanship, finance, group interpersonal dynamics, and more. It is truly a joy to see these young people find ways to grow and shine!
Youth Spirit Artworks involves homeless youth in art to empower and transform their lives giving them the skills, experience, and self-confidence needed to meet their full potential. YSA is modeled after the renowned New Orleans based-youth organization, Young Aspirations, Young Artists (YaYa) which has involved 1000’s of young people in commercial arts jobs and job training for more than twenty years.
Youth Spirit’s broad goals are to:
teach youth specific vocational skills related to commercial arts and entrepreneurship;
provide youth with an income from jobs training and sales of art;
support youth reaching their personal and professional life goals;
help youth learn to budget and manage their money;
build youth self-confidence and promote experiences of personal transformation.
I have seen just how powerful this organization is. For example, Adonis one of YSA's leaders has learned how to make art out of discarded furniture and sell it to help support himself. Elijah and others paints shirts and bags which he and others sell in the YSA art cart.