Girl power at CSU San Marcos

Our female-bodied, female-identified members represented yesterday! The Youth Center was closed yesterday for a special field trip to Cal State University, San Marcos, where we attended a screening of "Two Spirits," a documentary about two-spirit identity that chronicles the life and murder of Navajo two-spirit Fred "F.C." Martinez. "Two Spirits" will be airing on PBS in June. The film was followed by a two-spirit panel discussion, which included our very own Youth & Family Services Coordinator Christopher Scott. Among the topics discussed were personal experiences of two-spirit people, the difference between gender and sexuality, the importance of self-identification and the politics of terminology. The event was presented by the University Student Union Advisory Board, Women's Studies, and the Women's Center. Check out more pictures in the 2011 CSUSM Two Spirit album here.

Transforming spaces with American Indian storytelling

At the beginning of March, SDAIHYC volunteer and Luiseño storyteller Cathleen Chilcote Wallace shared her storytelling with the Youth Center for the first time.  Stories from the animal and human world were told, including a story from Ms. Wallace's own family.  We also got to learn about how different tools, such as baskets and fish traps, are made with local resources and Indigenous ingenuity.  Join us on Fridays from 6-7PM for American Indian Storytelling!

Skateboarding group in full effect!

We started our new skateboarding group yesterday. Members and staff brought their own boards (or borrowed boards) and did some leisurely skateboarding behind the Aerospace Museum in Balboa Park. Within a few weeks, we should be making our own boards! Check out pictures from the first group session in our 2011 Food & Fitness Fun album here.

Health Champions Post-survey! Whoo!

It's time for the Health Champions post-survey.  Please visit the following link: http://www.kwiksurveys.com?s=IHDIMK_3ef239fa and fill out the survey. It will take no more than 10 minutes of your time. There is one ad in the middle of the survey...ignore it. When you've completed the survey, you will be taken back to the blog...that's it...Thanks!

Cupid's Dance

Last Monday, we took a break from regular programming and had a special Valentine's Day party: "Cupid's Dance." The Youth Center was transformed into a dance club, complete with two DJs (Mr. Geoff Godfrey, and Mr. Sal Garcia from Friday Night Live), food from Fillippi's Italian Restaurant, cupcakes, candy and members dressed in red, white and pink. Members, staff and families alike partook in various dances, including an impromptu breakdance circle, Cupid Shuffle, and whatever's going on in this picture. Check out more from the party at our 2011 Cupid's Dance album here.

Let's learn how to skateboard...

Want to learn how to skateboard?  I know I do.  For those youth members that are interested, we are beginning a skateboarding group starting in March!  The group will take place on Thursdays from 5-6PM, in between Substance Abuse Class and Gung Fu.  If you want to join the skateboarding group, then put your name on the sign-in sheet at the Youth Center or reply to this post so that we know you're interested.  The group will begin with waiver signing and basic safety knowledge, then a "make-your-own-skateboard" workshop.  This will be followed by excursions to Balboa Park and the Washington Street Skate Park (with all the proper safety gear, of course).  For those of you who already know how to skate, this will be a great chance for you to not only show off your skills, but to mentor those who don't know how to skate (including me!).

Do you like science? Here's an opportunity!

There's a conference coming up at the University of San Diego (USD) on Saturday, March 5 entitled "Celebrating Milestones of Women in Science." The event is geared towards girls grades 6-10, and as the attached flyer states, will include "hands-on workshops" with "San Diego's top biologists, chemists, computer scientists, doctors, engineers, forensic scientists, geologists, physicists, medical specialists, and veterinarians." If any of those are careers you want to get into, this event might be for you! We have copies of the flyer here at the YC. Thanks to Kiana for the info!

"The Wolfpack" Health & Fitness Program: Year I in Review

SDAIHYC members and staff recently created a video, reflecting back on the first year of our Health & Fitness Program, "The Wolfpack." Watch and hear our thoughts on the Youth Center's physical fitness, proper nutrition, and health-related discussion programming. Thanks to all the members and staff who shared their voices for this project; let's make this year an even more outstanding one for health & fitness!

1st Community Night of the year tomorrow!

With a new year comes a new round of Community Nights, held on the fourth Thursday of every month.  Tomorrow will be the first Community Night of 2011 with guest speaker Steve Newcomb (Shawnee/Lenape) author, news columnist and founder of the Indigenous Law Institute.  Community Nights are hosted at the Normal Heights Community Center, located at 4649 Hawley Boulevard.  The event goes from 6:30-8:30PM.  Dinner is provided, and potluck items are always welcomed!  See the attached flyer for more information.