Don't fall!: Ice skating with SDAIHYC

Last Thursday, December 9, Youth Center members, family and staff headed to Horton Plaza's outdoor ice rink for Fantasy on Ice, sponsored by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Participants ranged from seasoned figure skaters to youth who have never been on a pair of skates! We skated for nearly 2 hours, and would have gone longer if we didn't close at 8PM...Pictures can be found in our 2010 December Festivities album here.

Celebrating the season with December Nights 2010

The holiday season was kicked off by active and new Youth Center members and families yesterday with a dinner and field trip to December Nights at Balboa Park. The night began with a salad and pizza dinner amongst the newly-decorated tree, along with cupcakes, brownies and cookies baked exclusively by Youth Center members. We then walked over to Balboa Park and enjoyed the newly-lit trees, free museums, and rides. Click here to see pictures from December Nights and other holiday festivities in the 2010 December Festivities album.

2010 World AIDS Day

Nearly 30 SDAIHYC youth members, parents and staff participated in the 2010 World AIDS Day events in Hillcrest. The night started with a candlelight vigil from the LGBT Center to Village Hillcrest. This was followed by the 19th annual Tree of Life Ceremony, co-hosted by Mama's Kitchen. Participants heard remarks from community members and elected officials, including Councilman Todd Gloria. Lighting of the Tree of Life and participants' candles followed the speeches. The San Diego Gay Men's Chorus also performed a medley of holiday standards. Visit our Photobucket album here to view pictures from the event in the 2010 December Festivities album.

Au revoir, mis niños y niñas!

Dear Youth, Family, and Community Members,

It has been a fulfilling year and a half with the San Diego American Indian Health Youth Center. Since I have become a licensed psychologist, there is a stronger need for me to focus my workday in the Behavioral Health Department with adults. This means I will no longer serve as the Youth Center Project Coordinator. This position has been awarded to a much-deserving Christopher Scott. I know he will take the Youth Center in a positive direction.

If you ever want to stop by, I am across the street in the Behavioral Health Department and will be available for individual therapy sessions. No, individual therapy isn’t just for “crazy people” :). We can all benefit in having someone to talk to from time to time. For those of you whom I have worked with, I will continue to provide individual therapy. Please contact me to schedule an appointment, if necessary. I can be reached by telephone at (619) 234-2158 x128 or by email at melanie.cain@sdaihc.com. Please remember, I care about each and every one of you and will have many fond memories of my experiences with the Youth Center. I wish all of you the best. Remember to study hard and be “respectful” of one another, especially your parents :). You will be a grown-up before you know it and it’s important to develop a healthy sense of who you are. Use the Youth Center as a positive space for growing up. Take care of yourselves and make all your dreams come true!

Sincerely,

Melanie J. Cain, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

PSY 23411

What do YOU want to cook on November 10th?

Youth members have requested to pick the main course for an upcoming Wednesday Night Dinner.  November 10th is that night!  If you have any ideas, feel free to discuss them with your fellow members here at the Youth Center or on the comment section of this post.  What we eat is up to all of you, as long as the meal follows these requests:

• balanced (includes healthy sources of protein, carbohydrates and fat)
• fresh vegetables are included
• the starch source is from a whole grain or root vegetable
• none of the foods require deep-frying
• prep/cook time is not more than 2 hours combined

After the decision has been made, let me (Daniel) know what's being made so we can purchase the supplies.  Let us know by Friday, November 5th.  We will, of course, supervise the kitchen, but all preparation, cooking and serving is all up to youth members!

Halloween Party Next Tuesday!

What are you doing next Tuesday? That's right. You're going to the Halloween Party. What's that? Yes, you're dressing up as a kooky character, and then you're entering the costume contest to win a variety of prizes. And then what? And then you'll play games, get spooked in the haunted house, eat wonderful food, and after a bit of free dancing, dominate the dance contest by showing off your newest moves. It was so much fun last year...remember these pictures? Oye, here's the information, just in case the specifics slipped your mind:

"A Halloween Party"

Tuesday, October 26

Ballard Parent Center (2375 Congress Street, Old Town)

6-9PM

Please bring a DESSERT to share!

A little alternative health, a little dancin'...

We are blessed to have two special programs at the Youth Center these next two weeks: on Wednesday, we will have a free (FREE!) dance lesson from Culture Shock (we don't necessarily have to wear masks like the Jabbawockeez, though...).  Next week, we have an extra gift and get to experience the dance lesson at the Culture Shock Dance Center (pending good behavior the week before, of course).  Learn more about Culture Shock here.  Last but not least, on Tuesday 10/19, the Alternative Health Network is coming to do a presentation.  Learn more about the Alternative Health Network here.

"They say cut backs, we say fight back!"

Youth Center members, guardians and staff joined hundreds of other students, teachers, and community members in the National Day of Action to Defend Education and Public Services yesterday at Pantoja Park in Downtown. The day started with a rally, followed by a march, and ending with a festival back at Pantoja Park, where are very own member Bella presented a speech on how budget cuts are affecting her educational and after school programming. The event made local headlines, including a piece on CBS 8, which can be viewed here (you can see Youth Center members and staff at 0:46 and 2:06!). Pictures from the event are posted in our Photobucket album here in the 2010 Oct 7 Day of Action for Education album.

Join us next Thursday to defend Education!

On October 7th, we will participate in the Day of Action to Defend Education and Public Services.  The Youth Center members have already voiced their concerns over the cuts to education locally in California; if you haven’t seen it yet, check out their YouTube video entitled “What is Happening to Our Education?” at http://www.youtube.com/SanDiegoAIHYC.  We will join other concerned students, parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members for a rally, silent march, and festival at Pantoja Park in Downtown.  Members, parents, families, friends: if you want to join us, we'll see you at the Youth Center or at Pantoja Park next Thursday!