Community Youth Programs
These are a variety of intervention/prevention community and school based programs designed to reinforce cultural strengths and values. The programs serve African youth in various high schools working to increase academic success through increased knowledge of self and building a sense of community.
Our African youth are our future. They are vessels for knowledge and strength and seeds that should be cultivated by instilling knowledge, wisdom, and self-love inevitably becoming a transgenerational garden of power.
Our mission for the community programs is to address African youth in-risk that are vulnerable to and directed into thoughts, behaviors and activities that undermine their African cultural orientation, behavioral dispositions and principles. These African youth are involved in behaviors that put them at high risk of incarceration, academic failure, substance abuse/addiction and physical harm.
The social environment contributes significantly to the problems and is why the term in-risk is used. The social environment consists of institutions where racism, discrimination, inequality and oppression are manifested. Institutions organized to provide education, policing, criminal justice, housing and health are involved in the lives of African people and often direct youth to thoughts, behaviors and activities that undermine their health and wellbeing.
Statistically, over-representation of African youth in area of suspensions, expulsions, juvenile justice and housing insecurity exacerbates their ability to achieve developmental milestones that are healthy and prepare them for adulthood in culturally meaningful ways.
There is a lack of knowledge and understanding of our culture and history. The youth lack an African-centered paradigm that reaffirms the right of African people to (1) exist as a people, (2) contribute to the forward flowing process of human civilization and culture, and (3) to share with as well as shape the world in response to our energy and spirit (Nobles & Goddard).
We strive for an outcome where the individual is spiritually rejuvenated, has love of self, family, and community and is willing and able to respect, protect, and defend self, family and community (Noble & Goddard).
Our services facilitate processes so that African youth have a knowledge of their history, cultural precepts and values. They develop the knowledge, skill, ability, attitude and character necessary to undertake socially defined, goal-oriented and culturally meaningful activities. They are connected to positive adults, experience academic success and develop skills to navigate institutions to achieve success.
Services:
Life Skills Courses
Field Trips
Case Management
Workshops
Our African youth are our future. They are vessels for knowledge and strength and seeds that should be cultivated by instilling knowledge, wisdom, and self-love inevitably becoming a transgenerational garden of power.
Our mission for the community programs is to address African youth in-risk that are vulnerable to and directed into thoughts, behaviors and activities that undermine their African cultural orientation, behavioral dispositions and principles. These African youth are involved in behaviors that put them at high risk of incarceration, academic failure, substance abuse/addiction and physical harm.
The social environment contributes significantly to the problems and is why the term in-risk is used. The social environment consists of institutions where racism, discrimination, inequality and oppression are manifested. Institutions organized to provide education, policing, criminal justice, housing and health are involved in the lives of African people and often direct youth to thoughts, behaviors and activities that undermine their health and wellbeing.
Statistically, over-representation of African youth in area of suspensions, expulsions, juvenile justice and housing insecurity exacerbates their ability to achieve developmental milestones that are healthy and prepare them for adulthood in culturally meaningful ways.
There is a lack of knowledge and understanding of our culture and history. The youth lack an African-centered paradigm that reaffirms the right of African people to (1) exist as a people, (2) contribute to the forward flowing process of human civilization and culture, and (3) to share with as well as shape the world in response to our energy and spirit (Nobles & Goddard).
We strive for an outcome where the individual is spiritually rejuvenated, has love of self, family, and community and is willing and able to respect, protect, and defend self, family and community (Noble & Goddard).
Our services facilitate processes so that African youth have a knowledge of their history, cultural precepts and values. They develop the knowledge, skill, ability, attitude and character necessary to undertake socially defined, goal-oriented and culturally meaningful activities. They are connected to positive adults, experience academic success and develop skills to navigate institutions to achieve success.
Services:
Life Skills Courses
Field Trips
Case Management
Workshops
Life Skills Courses & Workshops
On-campus Life Skills Courses are held September through May for the 2024-2025 school year for students at Andrew Hill, Independence, Oak Grove, Overfelt, Del Mar, and Silver Creek high schools. Saturday workshops are offered throughout the academic year for San Jose residents attending any high school. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
To participate in Life Skills Classes or Saturday Workshops, submit your consent form with parent/guardian signature ASAP!
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Camp Ujima
Camp Ujima will strive to reconnect youth to their Afrikan culture through interactive workshops and activities. We will provide a safe space for the youth to be heard, process, reflect and ask questions. Importantly, Camp Ujima will increase the youth's protective factors, pro-social behaviors, sense of responsibility to each other, families, and the community in ways that promote safety, health, and success. Our overall goal at Camp Ujima is to aid youth to become an active participant in building a better society as “Jegnas.”
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Download and submit your 2024 Camp Ujima Waiver now:
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Each year, Ujima Youth choose a theme
that represents our character and strength.
Sesa Wo Suban means “change or transform your character"
The symbol encourages people, especially the youth, to make a positive change to the world by their actions.
that represents our character and strength.
Sesa Wo Suban means “change or transform your character"
The symbol encourages people, especially the youth, to make a positive change to the world by their actions.
