Zumba

Mural Design

ART-A-THON Creating Art for Social Justice
On behalf of all the members of the Youth Arts Group (YAG), Rural & Migrant Ministry, and myself, I would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all the people who attended and supported our fourth Annual ART-A-Thon Creating Art for Social Justice event on May 5, 2012.

We had a successful event full of educational presentations, workshops, games and food. All members from the Youth Arts Group (YAG) did a great job directing presentations and workshops on the themes of Farmworkers’ Rights, Dream Act, Sexism in the Media, Branding our Movement, and Zumba. Congratulations to all YAG members for their inspiring work and dedication.

Our college interns played an important role in the success of this event. Our sincere gratitude to Edith Hernandez, Rachel Gorman, Kenneth Wolkin, Katherine Aspell and Natalie Allen for their hard work. They are positive role models for our youth. THANK YOU!

Finally, we sincerely thank our allies for their important support and contribution: RMM’s staff, White Plains Presbyterian Church, United Presbyterian Church of Middletown, Christ Church of Poughkeepsie and Grace Church of Millbrook.

Again, thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing you at our Fifth Annual Art-A-Thon Creating Art for Social Justice event next year.

Sincerely,

Andrés Chamorro
Youth Arts Group Coordinator
Rural & Migrant Ministry Inc.
P.O. Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
Office: (845) 485-8627
Fax: (845) 485-1963
Cellular: ((845) 518-9210
andres.m.chamorro@gmail.com

Location: White Plains, NY
Description:
Hello, dear friends and allies,
 
The Youth Arts Group of Rural & Migrant Ministry would like to extend a cordial invitation to you and especially to those of you who work with youth to our Fourth Annual Art-A-Thon “Creating Art for Social Justice”. 
 
Please join in the creation of giant papier mache masks, banners, painting, Zumba and much more! Your participation and contribution will help our group to continue creating a positive change in our community and in the lives of others.

Art-A-Thon Creating Art for Social Justice

Who: Anyone 13 years old and up

When: May 5th, 2012

Time: from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm 

Where: The Presbyterian Church
39 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601

For more information please contact: Andrés Chamorro (845) 518-9210

Thank you in advance for contribution and your continued support of our organization.
 
Sincerely, 

Andrés Chamorro
Youth Arts Group Coordinator
Rural & Migrant Ministry Inc.
P.O. Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
Office: (845) 485-8627
Fax: (845) 485-1963
Cellular: ((845) 518-9210
andres.m.chamorro@gmail.com

By: Edith Hernandez

YAG 3/23/12

This past Friday Eduardo Gonzalez gave a presentation entitled “Unlearning Sexism, Heterosexism, and Homophobia.” The presentation was based on the cycle of oppression which begins with being born into a certain status, taught about what that status means by significant people in your life, institutions that you encounter reinforcing the status quo, leading to you acting according to your prescribed role the maintenance of the status quo and then repeating the cycle with the next generation.

He included us in describing what we saw as prescribed roles for men and women and then what we saw as consequences for those who stray from these roles. We were able to discuss ways in which we had encountered sexism, something that is still rarely talked about.

He also showed two short films about how sexism is present in the Media, especially advertising and Disney movies. Advertising characterizes men and women according to stereotypes and plays to insecurities. Disney movies tend to show heterosexual relationships with docile women and strong and courageous men.

In response to Eduardo’s presentation, one YAG member, Sharleen, said, “I feel empowered to use my voice and say no.” She also realized that movies and media serve to, “plant a seed in a little kid’s brain to make them think that sexism is right.” Another member, Jennifer, said “[The presentation] reminded me about what I have to do and how society works. “Stephen mentioned that, actually, “these things are normal and you don’t even realize it.”

The presentation helped us to begin a conversation about sexism and the media, as well as to think a little bit more about the details in our lives and what meaning they might actually have.

On March 6, seven YAG members traveled to Albany to attend a rally sponsored by the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) to advocate for the New York State Dream Act. There were busloads of other students from New York City who came to the event, so it was a chance for the YAG members to meet and interact with other undocumented youth. A YAG member said that being with so many other youth was “empowering” because “I wasn’t alone and my voice was actually going to be heard.” At the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Albany, we watched speeches by undocumented students, the NYS senators who sponsored the bill, two college professors, and a social worker who talked about the experiences of undocumented students in high school. Then we marched to the NYS capitol building to participate in a rally outside. We chanted and listened to more people speak about the importance of the Dream Act. One of the YAG members even stood up in front of the crowd with a megaphone to lead a chant! After the rally, we went inside the capitol to meet with an Assemblyman. A volunteer with the YLC taught us how to lobby and told us his own story about how although he is undocumented, his dream is to become a US senator. His story touched the YAG members and, according to one of them, made me realize that we cannot give up on this bill! Then we met with a staff member for Assemblyman Graf from Long Island to ask him to convince Graf to vote for the NYS Dream Act. This was an amazing opportunity for the YAG members because they each had a chance to tell the staff member why they were there and why this issue was important to them. One member said, I learned that our stories and the life of an immigrant can change minds. A reporter from Telemundo was also at the capitol building and she interviewed one of the YAG members for the news. The whole day was an incredible experience. One YAG member said his favorite moment “was everything! Being there, doing what I did, and supporting what I love—just everything about this trip” was inspiring. Another YAG member explained that she appreciated that her voice was heard by the government for the first time.

By: Rachel Gorman

Educational Trip to Philadelphia, PA:

On March 2 and 3, the Youth Arts Group YAG visited Philadelphia to learn about community murals. We walked around a section of Philadelphia called the Village of Art and Humanities to see beautiful community artwork. We saw murals, sculptures, and mosaics that brightened up the neighborhood and transformed the run-down community into an artistic treasure. We even saw one mural about the nursing profession that lit up different colors at night. For many of the YAG members, the highlight of the trip was meeting the artist Ms. Lily Yeh. In addition to Philadelphia, Lily has done art projects all over the world, from Rwanda, Ecuador to China. She told YAG about the importance of art in tying the members of a community together. One YAG member learned from Lily that “even if you are not actually a famous person” you can make an impact on your community if you “follow the fire you have inside you that takes you to what you love to do.” Another YAG member said that meeting Lily was the best part of the trip because she “is a very strong woman and I learned so much from her! I want to continue being her ally.” After meeting Lily, we explored other more touristy parts of Philadelphia, like the public library and the steps where the movie Rocky was filmed. One YAG member said that he loved the whole trip because “I appreciate the fact that I got to see other communities that were both different and similar to the one I live in,” and we saw “an inside look at other people’s struggles and opportunities.” The trip to Philadelphia showed the YAG members that “We can all do small things in our community that can spark positive change.”

The decisions we make today will have an impact on our future

Worshop: The decisions we make today will have an impact on our future

Date: Friday February 3, 2012

Presenter: Gabriela Quintanilla

Senior YAG member Gabriella Quintanilla gave a workshop for YAG about making decisions. She called it, “The decisions we make today will have an impact on our future.” Instead of lecturing, Gabby asked the group questions about decisions and consequences, mature ways of handling consequences and the importance of mistakes. She was able to get the group to engage with the issues and this led to some deep introspection. In some cases, the members saw beauty in the mistakes we make; one group said, “The unique decisions we make in the unique circumstances we face make us the unique individuals we are.” Another group said, “Mistakes done in the present are only scars that lead to your future, every time you see them, they will only remind you of how strong you are.” She also had us think about different situations and circumstances that affect our decisions and their outcomes. In her reflection, Gabby notes that, “It is important to admit the mistakes we made, process [them], cry about it if we want and then let it go. [Through this], every day we have the opportunity to create a brighter future.”

By: Edith Lyer Hernandez

By: Katia Chapman – College intern

The visit to Berea College went really really well. I am so proud of all the YAG members. They spoke with honesty and strength and created a huge impression on everyone they spoke to. I think there is a very real possibility that their visit will change the way Berea moves forward on their policy regarding undocumented students.

I strongly believe the trip had a powerful impact on the students, and it did on me too.

“Youth Arts Group Mobilizes Berea College to Accept Undocumented Students”

On January 9^th three members of the Youth Arts Group and one ambassador from Poughkeepsie High School met with administrators at Berea College to discuss admissions policies. Members undertook a 30-hour round-trip drive to the college, located in Kentucky, and dedicated themselves to hours of preparation in order to present courageous personal testimonials and reasons why Berea should accept undocumented students. The YAG members and their two chaperons from Vassar College were able to see firsthand the powerful impact their visit made. One admissions counselor told the students he was inspired by their bravery, and the Dean of Enrollment said that he felt galvanized to make accepting undocumented students at the center of policy reform conversations in 2012 with their new president.

Berea College is a tuition-free working college in Appalachia. The college made history in 1850 by defying laws and customs and educating both black and white students of both genders in the same institution and classrooms. As the Dean told us, in 1850 the x factor was accepting black students. In 2000 a commitment was made to single parents. In 2012, x factor will be undocumented students?

On the way to Berea College the group stopped for a visit at Appalshop in Whitesburg, KY. Appalshop was founded 40 years ago to teach members of the Appalachia community media skills, collect stories and music, and effect both economic and social change. Their programming includes a group of youth who create short pieces on audio and film about topics of interest, ranging from humorous (such as a local one-man hardcore metal band) to more serious (oxycotin addiction in the community). YAG left inspired to work on this year’s media pieces and with a new friend in the Appalachia. After hearing about YAG and YEG, one of the coordinators of AMI expressed how great it would be to send a delegation of their own to New York this summer

The Youth Arts Group is a multicultural group of high school students from the Hudson Valley who come together with the determination to create change in their lives and communities. One medium they use to manifest change is art. Themes within their artwork include breaking the barriers (racial, class, gender, etc.) that divide society, examining negative influences on youth, and sharing the voices of farmworkers and factory workers. Come view their paintings, murals, and statues on display in beautiful Ely Hall on Vassar Campus.
Start Date: 2010-11-16
End Date: 2010-11-24