This Hispanic Heritage Month, help amplify young Latino voices
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the power of Latino voices and the next generation of storytellers who are shaping the future of the arts!
Spectrum News recently highlighted our work with students like 11-year-old Jesus Rodriguez, who looks forward to Young Storytellers every week:
“I’m ecstatic every Wednesday morning because it is Young Storytellers day. I could let my imagination run wild and make a story that is very interesting.”
Jesus is one of many students discovering their voice and creative potential through our free, in-school programs. More than 55% of our participants are Latino, yet Latinos represent only 13% of arts and culture workers in LA. That means too many stories are being left untold.
With the support of our volunteer mentors and donors like you, Young Storytellers is changing that. We’re opening doors to self-expression, confidence and even exploration of future careers in the arts. As one of our team members, Andrea Ohlsen-Esparza, shared:
“When you’re someone who comes from an immigrant family, you don’t always have as many avenues to be creative and expressive. Our parents do their best, but they sometimes don’t promote learning about artistic fields.”
Your gift today helps ensure that students like Jesus can continue to explore their creativity, find their voice and imagine new opportunities.
Save the Date!
Psst… Biggest Show, our annual fundraiser and celebration is just around the corner on Wednesday, October 29 at the United Theater on Broadway, featuring an amazing cast and an evening of family-friendly fun, including a costume contest, storytelling activities, and candy — all to support Young Storytellers programming to ensure our work continues.
Featuring: Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood), Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision, Agatha All Along), Brett Gelman (Stranger Things), and Xochitl Gomez (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Baby-Sitter’s Club) will bring our students’ spooky, silly, and spectacular stories to life on stage.
We’re also excited to announce a special guest appearance by Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Five Nights at Freddy’s) and the honoring of Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Get Out, Halloween).
