Youth Alive! is an afterschool program that strives to bring the compassionate heart of Dorothy's Place to children in poverty in the Salinas Valley. Our mission is to impart our understanding of the specialness and sacredness of every person, and the call to live lives of passionate commitment to themselves, their families, their communities, and to the building of peace and justice.

Youth Alive! is an outgrowth of over twenty-five years of support (originally food assistance) in the Camphora and Jimenez farm labor camps near Soledad. The program meets once a week on Thursday afternoons and focuses on relationship building with and among the youth and families that attend. Our curriculum includes outdoor and indoor games, art, literacy/homework assistance, and music. This year we have been developing empowerment through self-portraiture, using Maya Gonzalez's "Claiming Face"curriculum. Music focuses primarily on building rhythm skills through hand drumming.

We serve approximately 100 youth, from preschool through high school age, in both camps. The program has an open enrollment. We are currently in the process of developing paid 'Program Assistant' opportunities for teens in the campesino to building job and life skills (and to become leaders and role models)

Books Needed!

Books - we love to read with Youth Alive! kids, and since usually their first language is Spanish, the best way to do that is with bilingual children's books.

Art Supplies Needed!

We love to draw, paint, and build crafts with the kids we serve, but sometimes, supplies are limited. This year as we continue our work with "Claiming Face" we hope for full sets of pastels, paintbrushes, and paints including watercolor, acrylic, and tempera. We also need basic materials including construction paper, school glue, and children's scissors, as well as financial assistance to respond to the needs of our evolving program.

Hand Drums Needed!

Youth Alive! offers children and families the chance to speak our orginal language, music. We play both in small and large groups to offer specialized teaching and the joy of a community jam session. Our curiculum this year is Kenya Masala's "Rhythm Play." Currenly we have a small set including 4 congas and bongos, but hope to expand soon with a matching set of 10-20 frame drums (like these) and 5-10 djembes (like these). Please contact Greg (651-925-6027) for more information.

Youth Alive needs Backpacks and School Supplies! 

A great way to help poor families with children in Jimenez and Camphora farm labor camps is to gift their children with backpacks and school supplies.  If you wish to help a child get ready for the new school year, think of buying a few more of what you’re already getting for your kids.  Or if you know a group that would like to help, please call Jill at 578-4198 to get connected.

There are lots of ways you can help us share the love - Field Trips!

It's so important for kids to see the world around them, and they always ask when we are going next! In the past we have taken trips to visit college campuses, go hiking, to museums, theater performances and more, and plan on more for the future.

Your contribution of these resources or of financial support helps create new possiblities for young people! If you want to get involved or have any questions, please contact Greg (651-925-6027) for more information.