Use it!
You've got a voice, kid.
changing
the narrative
Unaccompanied minor. Asylee. Immigrant. Migrant. Refugee. 1st Gen. Undocumented. There are many definitions of youth who seek a new life in the US. There is one definition that fits them all:
-to endure
"¡Aguantate!" chided in Spanish by parents or groups of friends when someone is complaining means, "Suck it up!"
When you say it to yourself, it means
"hold on"
IR
TPS
EWI
Cr
r
E/S
O/S
SIJ
R
NIV
UC
Assist
Jonathan Fein Proaño, Integrations Manager for the Unaccompanied Children's program at the International Rescue Committee in Los Angeles helps us understand the challenges and paths to citizenship for youth seeking asylum in the US. And what do all those letters mean, anyway?
blossom
Angelica Benitez
embodies the toughness that it takes
push past your challenges and the
beauty nurtured by an open heart
and mind. Her sense of social
justice and belief in the
power of narrative are
invigorating. She has been
with connectopod since
the age of ten. She started
Mission College this year!
The Wisdom of Angie B...
The freight trains that cross Mexico are known as ‘La Bestia’ – the beast. Photograph: Zuma Press/Alamy
Courage
Angie B
THE BEAST
This was Angie at 10
While on one of her stops on her way to the US, Karina showed her work in a gallery in Poland. Here she shares her perceptions of her journey through her art. Karina speaks 5 languages!
create
First-generation Victoria Benitez
interviews her 'mama valorosa' (courageous mother) in Spanish with an English intro.
Vicky says interviewing her single mom Norma, gave her a deeper insight into
-and appreciation of- her mom's fighting spirit. A fighting spirit that Vicky has
obviously inherited! Just listen to the one-minute intro to her piece! Vicky is a great
writer. She took the initiative to record and edit on her own.
"Through life's ups and downs, we've had a good time. Despite the fright of the drops and
loops. Enjoying the ride called life, because the people we are with make it special.
My ride or die,.
Mi Mama Valorosa."
Appreciation
imagine
A group of students working on a story for Connectopod uncover the journals of researcher John C. at the Canoga Park LAPL. He had discovered a new planet: K-68. The team pieces together the history of this planet, which sounds quite a bit like our own. Is K-68 doomed to repeat our mistakes? Will ORB be able to restore balance? Who are the Paused and the Resumed? Find out!
Created by Fernando Avalos, Jennifer Maqueda, Norsorrfhia Cardenas, Ixchel Lopez, Quetzali Lopez, Marcia Melkonian, Betsy Foldes Meiman
Evolve
Daniela Catalan has been a Connectopod Reporter since the age of 10! She is also first generation, making good on the opportunities her parents sacrificed for. Now 18, she is combining her natural organizational and leadership skills in college, as she seeks to build toward a career in business.In the meantime, she manages her whole department at Six Flags!
In Isabella Saeedy's fast-paced screenplay with a cast of quirky characters, Catherine, an environmental studies major at Columbia battles power, money, and hypocrisy to save the life of a neglected tree in Central Park who is slated to be cut down. All while struggling to finish her dissertation in time to graduate!
Isabella Is first generation Iranian. We first met her on the Connectopod/Los Angeles Public Library/CSUN Strength United collaboration -The Domestic Violence Awareness Project, which culminated in a published graphic novel and three podcasts.
Isabella passed away this summer.
We thought the best way to honor her was to celebrate the talent she used in the service of making the world a better place. This project was to be a gift to Isabella's memory and to her family.
Community
It turned out to be her gift to us.
This funny and touching screenplay was recorded at Literati Audio by Connectopod peers, professional actors and audio producers, a professional director who is also a USC professor, and some of his students. We wanted to create the trajectory Isabella imagined.
...from her peers
Changing the Narrative 4 was funded In part by a generous grant from the California Arts Council, a state Agency. Learn more ar arts.ca.gov
