In line with our commitment to improve mental health for area youth, we partnered with La Familia Counseling Center to offer 24 weekly workshops over the past year. These workshops engaged young people in meaningful rite-of-passage traditions that reflect their cultures and communities.
At the program’s conclusion, its participants reflected on their experiences. For a sense of how meaningful the experience was, here’s an excerpt from one participant’s reflections:
“I learned about Bar-Mitzvas, which honestly, I would have never learned about if it hadn’t been thanks to this program. This helped me grow my interest in other cultures and customs. I honestly loved making tortillas, because I had learned how [during one of the workshops] and could physically show and share it with my parents. I felt proud of myself for making tortillas. I have a huge interest in culinary so, making tortillas was amazing. This program helped me stay productive and I really tried bringing more friends to share this experience. I would do it again if I had the chance.”
