ARTS FOR HEALING AND JUSTICE NETWORK

ADVOCACYAHJN SUPPORTS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTS AS A PRACTICE TO CHANGE SYSTEMS. IN ADVOCATING FOR A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT APPROACH, AHJN IS PROVIDING ADVOCACY FELLOWSHIPS FOR YOUTH WHO ARE RETURNING TO L.A. COMMUNITIES THROUGH PAID LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ENGAGE DIRECTLY-IMPACTED YOUTH IN USING ARTS TO ARTICULATE THEIR OWN PERSPECTIVES AND PRIORITIES AROUND NEEDED SYSTEMIC CHANGE. AHJN STRIVES TO "CONNECT THE DOTS" BETWEEN DIRECT SERVICE AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE. AHJN DOES THIS BY CONNECTING ADVOCACY TO THOSE MOST IMPACTED-CENTERING ARTS AND ART-MAKING AS A WAY TO BUILD COMMUNITY. PARTNERSHIP, AND RESILIENCE IN SYSTEMS-CHANGE WORK AND WITHIN THE COLLABORATIVE NETWORK ITESELF, AND USING THE ARTS TO SHIFT HOW PEOPLE SEE EACH OTHER TO INCREASE EMPATHY AND SOLIDARITY. ADVOCACY PROJECTS HAVE INCLUDED THE CREATE JUSTICE NATIONAL THINK TANK SERIES OF FORUMS, WHICH ELEVATED THE INTERSECTION OF ARTS AND JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM. THIS INVOLVED CO-HOSTING AND PLANNING THE FORUM, AND SUPPORTING THE FULL PARTICIPATION OF A COHORT OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO ATTEND, AS WELL AS COMMUNICATION EFFORTS (INCLUDING DEVELOPING AND LAUNCHING A WEBSITE) FOR THE INITIATIVE. ALSO INCLUDED IN AHJN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM IS WORK SUPPORTING THE NEWLY EMERGED DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN L.A. COUNTY. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN COUNTY-WIDE YOUTH SUMMITS AND FORUMS AIMED AT RE-DESIGNING THE CURRENT YOUTH INCARCERATION SYSTEM, AND PROVIDING EVIDENCE FOR AND PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEED FOR INCREASED INVESTMENT IN PREVENTION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, RATHER THAN INCARCERATION. AHJN IS A COORDINATING MEMBER OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH UPRISING COALITION A KEY PARTNER IN ADVANCING YOUTH JUSTICE REIMAGINED IN LA COUNTY. YOUTH HAVE ATTENDED MEETINGS, FACILITATED WORKSHOPS, AND BEEN ON PANELS AS PART OF THIS EFFORT.