Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA

The Latin American Youth Center serves over 4,000 young boys and girls each year. As LAYC’s Maryland branch, LAYC/MMYC works in collaboration with other non-profit organizations, government agencies and public schools in Maryland to combat youths’ gang involvement and risky behaviors. The Montgomery County site opened ten years ago, and its services and supports have focused on workforce and educational programs, comprehensive case management, gang prevention, boys of color initiatives, and mentoring for the most vulnerable youth in the county. These individuals face additional barriers such as homelessness/housing instability, prior adjudication, young parents/head of household, lack of family support, substance abuse, and mental health/documented disabilities. Besides lacking resources, most of these young people lack hope - and experiences through the arts can restore that for them.

Story Tapestries has collaborated to bring educational arts programs to students at LAYC for multiple years, and in 2017 that relationship grew and we were able to work with two cohorts of GED students thanks to funding from Alternate ROOTS and from supporters like you. In May and again in August, Story Tapestries’ Artist Regie Cabico brought poetry, storytelling, movement and drama to GED students at the Latin American Youth Center in Montgomery County, Maryland. Regie says:

These students have incredible lives and their poems channel deep personal insight and reflection. We listened to each other's stories. Week by week students opened up. “What do you know to be true?” I asked them. The art skills used during the workshops built the students’ 21st century skills; increasing their literacy levels, their ability to recognize and resolve conflicts, and their job-readiness abilities. 

Regie shared that it was a challenge to get students to write poetry when they felt they had nothing to say. He found ways to connect with them through poetry, stories, and discussion exercises and was amazed at how they opened up. The students surprised staff, educators, and local poets who attended their final showcase event with just how far they went in their exploration and delivery. Their support for one another and pride in their work shone bright.

Click below to see a video of some of the participants sharing their poems!

One student wrote:

YESSY

We run to someone 

who hears 

and doesn't judge. 

We run like gazelles 

being chased by the predator. 

We run because 

we are the prey.

We run for our own good. 

We run from low self-esteem 

and depression. 

We run from feeling alone.

Thank you for helping us reach these students and support them achieving their academic and life goals!

Links:

• Video of live poetry readings!