Unlocking Potential through Holistic Support
As I sit across from Sandra Soto, the Director of the Youth Development Program at Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA), I’m captivated by her infectious passion for empowering the youth in her community. Her journey, from being a first-year teacher in Washington D.C. to earning a master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has shaped her unwavering commitment to creating positive change, especially among the young people she serves.
Sandra’s story is one of exploration, discovery, and a deep-rooted desire to address the systemic injustices that impact the lives of her students. As the daughter of a Cuban immigrant and granddaughter of Italian immigrants, she grew up with a natural curiosity to venture beyond the confines of her Southern California upbringing. This spirit of adventure led her to Boston University, where she studied Elementary Education and embarked on a teaching career that would take her around the world.
Seeing Injustice, Seeking Solutions
Throughout her diverse teaching experiences, from student teaching in Australia to being an online ESL instructor and a special-ed math teacher in suburban California, Sandra couldn’t help but notice the profound ways in which injustice, particularly racism, impacted her students’ lives. This realization ignited a new sense of purpose within her, as she sought to create deeper change both inside and outside the classroom.
“I saw the ways in which injustice, particularly racism, impacted my students’ lives,” Sandra recalls, her eyes filled with a determined spark. “That’s when I knew I wanted to do more than just teach – I wanted to empower communities and transform society.”
In search of answers, Sandra enrolled at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, eager to unlock the keys to effective, equitable community development. However, as she jokingly admits, “I left Harvard with more questions than answers.” But rather than being discouraged, Sandra used this realization as motivation to explore non-traditional education settings and forge her own path to empowerment.
Embracing a Holistic Approach
Sandra’s journey led her to IBA, where she joined the organization through its partnership with Life Together, an Episcopal Service Corps program built on the pillars of contemplative practice, communal living, and prophetic imagination. This intentional community and the supportive environment at IBA provided Sandra with the perfect platform to put her passion for youth development into action.
As the Director of the Youth Development Program, Sandra’s mission is to empower young members of the community through the transformative power of the arts. “I’m passionate about building teen confidence through the arts,” she explains. “The program provides an opportunity for them to explore their identity and culture, tell their stories, and develop positive relationships with their peers and caring adults.”
Through the program, Sandra has developed a creative writing and visual arts curriculum that helps teens enhance their ability to speak up about the issues that matter most to them. By weaving artistic enrichment with civic engagement, the youth are given the tools to create meaningful change in their community.
Fostering Integral Growth
But Sandra’s vision for the Youth Development Program extends far beyond the artistic realm. Recognizing the importance of holistic community development, the program also provides academic support and financial literacy opportunities to promote the integral growth of the young people it serves.
“IBA’s commitment to holistic community development really resonates with me,” Sandra shares. “I appreciate how dedicated they are to offering comprehensive programming that addresses the diverse needs of our youth.”
The program’s individualized tutoring, small group learning, and financial empowerment workshops empower teens to develop essential life skills, from money management to setting financial goals. Sandra firmly believes that these crucial abilities are key to preparing the youth for a prosperous future.
Nurturing Dreams and Aspirations
As the leader of the Youth Development Program, one of Sandra’s favorite parts of the job is engaging in conversations with the youth about their dreams for the future and the possible paths that will lead them to achieve personal success. These open dialogues not only allow her to better understand what motivates the young people she serves, but also provide valuable insights to help tailor the program to their evolving needs.
“My hope with the Youth Development Program is to generate integral growth that meets the needs of the whole person and the entire community,” Sandra explains. “Whether it’s through one-on-one mentorship or engaging courses, the goal is to promote self-expression, reflection, and the realization of each young person’s unique potential.”
Affordable Housing as a Catalyst for Empowerment
Addressing Displacement Pressures
The importance of affordable housing in fostering youth empowerment and community development cannot be overstated. As cities across the country grapple with the devastating impacts of gentrification and displacement, organizations like Homewise Affordable Community Collaborative (HACC) are stepping up to create equitable housing solutions that empower marginalized communities.
Earlier this year, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a $13.55 million investment through the city’s Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) to support community organizations working to address displacement pressures and strengthen underserved neighborhoods. These funds will enable the acquisition of real estate, the development of affordable housing projects, and the capacity-building of organizations that are dedicated to fostering vibrant, thriving communities.
“Seattle is investing in tangible efforts to support cultural organizations that are working in our historically underserved neighborhoods to fight displacement pressures,” said Mayor Harrell. “From new affordable housing developments to space for youth programming, these projects are generational investments that will help us foster vibrant, thriving communities throughout our city.”
Empowering Youth Through Holistic Support
At the heart of these equitable development initiatives are the young people who stand to benefit the most. Organizations like ARTE NOIR, El Centro de la Raza, and Empowering Youth and Families Outreach are using affordable housing as a springboard to provide comprehensive, wraparound services that empower youth and strengthen their communities.
Take, for example, the José Martí Child Development Center at the Four Amigos-Beloved affordable housing community, supported by the EDI fund. This project will not only provide families with access to high-quality, bilingual early childhood education, but it will also incorporate social justice and community engagement into the curriculum. By investing in the holistic development of young children, this initiative lays the foundation for a more equitable future.
Similarly, the Estelitas Library project, a social justice library, bookstore, and cultural hub in Beacon Hill, is leveraging EDI funding to fulfill its vision of building affordable housing that is grounded in and uplifts the community. This multifaceted approach, which combines affordable housing with cultural programming and community-driven spaces, exemplifies the powerful synergy between housing and youth empowerment.
Fostering Leadership and Civic Engagement
As the recipient of the NAAAP Future Leaders Scholarship, Cindy Tsang’s story highlights the transformative impact that community engagement can have on the aspirations and trajectories of first-generation college students. Cindy’s involvement with programs like A-VOYCE and Quincy Asian Resources Inc. (QARI) not only shaped her passion for urban planning and community service, but also instilled in her a deep sense of pride and belonging within the Asian American community.
“Going into high school, I thought I wanted to be a doctor or a nurse,” Cindy reflects. “But being in community-oriented spaces and spaces that empowered youth helped me realize that I really like helping other people and serving the Asian American community. It was empowering to receive mentorship through the programs I joined and to have people believe in me and my potential as a person, as a leader, as a community member.”
The scholarship, named after Richard and Chou Lee, the parents of ACDC Board President and co-founder Paul Lee, emphasizes the importance of supporting first-generation college students who are actively engaged in their local Asian American communities. By investing in the education and leadership development of these young people, the scholarship aims to foster a new generation of community advocates and changemakers.
As Paul Lee explains, “What we really like about the fact that the last few scholarships have been awarded to A-VOYCE youth is we know that ACDC’s program emphasizes leadership and civic engagement. We couldn’t be happier.”
Weaving a Tapestry of Opportunity
The synergy between affordable housing, youth development, and community empowerment is a tapestry woven with threads of opportunity, resilience, and collective impact. Organizations like IBA, HACC, and their partners are not only providing vital housing solutions, but also creating spaces where young people can explore their identities, hone their leadership skills, and become catalysts for positive change.
Through innovative programs that blend artistic expression, academic support, financial literacy, and civic engagement, these initiatives are unlocking the limitless potential of the youth they serve. By nurturing their dreams, amplifying their voices, and equipping them with the tools to navigate the complexities of the world, they are empowering the next generation to redefine the American Dream – one of inclusivity, equity, and community-driven transformation.
As I listen to Sandra, Cindy, and the visionary leaders behind these impactful initiatives, I am left with a renewed sense of hope and a deep appreciation for the power of community-driven solutions. In a world that often seems to be pulling us apart, these organizations are weaving us back together, thread by thread, into a tapestry of opportunity that celebrates the richness of our diversity and the boundless potential of our youth.