Blog

When asked to express himself through music for the first time, a 17-year-old spending seven months in the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility wrote a powerful song about what it felt like to miss his daughter's first steps and other milestones while detained. He was one of 24 students from San Diego SOAR Academy's East Mesa site who participated in a six-week program organized by the nonprofit group David's Harp Foundation . "The collaboration with David's Harp is more than music...

San Diego’s decision-makers are mostly white, male and economically advantaged, according to a new report released Tuesday. The 51-page report comes from the Center on Policy Initiatives, a San Diego think tank that has ties to local labor unions. Researchers assessed five governing boards and commissions from September to January, saying they were seeking a broad picture of public leadership throughout the county. Over the five-month period, researchers reviewed and conducted interviews...

After the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida earlier this year, schools are at the epicenter of national debates on gun violence and mental health. How can teachers and administrators deal with troubled students? And how can they make schools safer for all? It’s not the first time that schools have been asked to address social problems that originate far outside their hallways. In a nation where more than 40 percent of kids are from low-income families, school teachers and...

Are you interested in issues surrounding policing in your area? Do you want to learn how religious leaders are getting involved to build trust and restore the relationship between the police and communities in San Diego County? Take a look at June and July’s newsletters here . On January 31, the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (Kroc IPJ) at the University of San Diego launched a handbook and website for religious leaders to use to improve relationships and build trust between police and...

(Calif.) With an important legislative deadline quickly approaching, Senate education committee members passed about a dozen bills last week targeting topics including time off for teen parents, statewide assessment options and charter school transparency. AB 1951 would require the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to approve a nationally recognized high school assessment–such as the SAT or ACT–that districts can administer to students instead of the grade 11 California Assessment...

Here's a great funding opportunity for an organization and/or subcontractors to produce a youth authored publication for youth in custody at County of San Diego Probation Department juvenile detention facilities. The publication shall be a collection of written word or visual art pieces authored by youth in custody. Please visit https://buynet.sdcounty.ca.gov for more information. https://buynet.sdcounty.ca.gov/Solicitations/SolicitationDetail.aspx?SolicitationID=1960864&AID=1 County of...

Thanks to all who braved the heat and attended last week's meeting! Our new membership directory and ACEs group were revealed and we had an inspiring activity re: member's accomplishments related to our Strategic Plan Goals! Meeting minutes are below and attached. Also attached is a list of our members' accomplishments related to our strategic plan goals. Welcome Stephen Carroll and Linda Ketterer co-facilitated today’s meeting as Amelia and Dana were both unable to attend in person. THANKS...

(image) The detention facility in El Cajon, run by Southwest Key, is surrounded by wire fencing, concrete lots and a locked gate. San Diego Congressional members Susan Davis and Juan Vargas joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic members of the Hispanic Caucus in touring three local facilities holding child immigrants, including a fenced facility in EL Cajon with 65 migrant boys, 10 percent of whom were forcibly separated from their parents by the Trump...

Two years ago, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved my Urban Agricultural Incentive Zone Proposal. The program helps expand community access to fresh produce through a property tax incentive for qualifying land owners who allow urban gardens on their property. There’s a new website for the program (listed below). Applications and an interactive map highlighting eligible lots are available for the public to view. The program gives communities throughout the City an economic tool to...

June is Immigrant Heritage Month. In the face of increasing attacks on immigrants, it’s more important than ever to celebrate and support the diverse families that make up the beautiful fabric of our nation. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone who calls the US home has the opportunity to live healthy lives. # ImmigrantHeritageMonth # KeepFamiliesTogether To view the 2-minute video clip, please click here.

When I looked at you a little while ago at the Jackie Robinson YMCA, decked out in your finery, you were about the most beautiful sight I’ve ever laid my eyes on, just a-hugging and -pecking each other on the cheek and smiling and talking with your bodies and your hands, your love for each other aglow. And you personified a little of everybody — gays, lesbians, bi, non-hearing, blind, skin tones from ivory to ebony, ethnicities aplenty: Mexican American; Latino; Chicano; Chicana; Filipino;...

Join WebEx meeting (recurring) From a computer, click here https://sdcountyca.webex.com/sdcountyca/ Meeting number (access code): 801 593 622 Meeting password: Trauma1! Join by phone only, call 1-240-454-0887 US Toll , Meeting number (access code): 801 593 622 Enter (#) when asked for an attendee I I. Welcome Co-facilitators: Stephen Carroll and Linda Ketterer II. Introductions (Name and Organization) III. History of San Diego's Trauma-Informed Journey (9-minute video) IV. Brag Sheets...