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Together we can
​prevent gun violence

Addressing COVID Safety & Awareness: Building Resilience and Messaging

11/30/2020

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“People have the nerve to question if we should wear masks.
It’s not an option; it’s a necessity.
We must weave it into our daily tasks.
As if breathing in others’ coughs is worth the cost.”
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These poignant lines are part of a powerful poem written and recited by Liana Parrish, during the first of three youth conferences, held on Zoom on November 17, 2020. It was hosted in partnership with youth leaders and a Coalition of a community-based organization called the Oakland Frontline Healers. Liana is a student at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland and was one of several charismatic and creative teens steering this conference with their messages on COVID awareness and resilience. 

And leading they did. Their message to other youth and adults was clear and direct: please take COVID seriously. When adults argue, defend, and wordsmith, our teen leaders are miles ahead of us. They know what needs to be done and they tell us, in their language, in their paintings, collages with their favorite movie characters, via written words like Liana’s poem, and even with their own music and videos: 
  • Wear your mask
  • Speak up when you see someone without a mask
  • Keep friends and family safe with social distancing 
  • Reinforce protocols like hand washing

Former Oakland High School student Chuyi Fang shares a video she made that should be shown daily on national television, it’s that good. And funny: “chin warmer” doesn’t protect against the virus. Only teenagers can say it so candidly. 
It is often through art that young people express their deepest concerns, and at them same time cope with them.  And while the outlook of this pandemic during the time of this conference was rather grim, the messages these kids have for us is one of hope. 

Sariyah Shabazz, another poised student from Bishop O’Dowd, shares tips on self-care that some of us adults could really use. The first one – unexpected, yet powerful, and spot-on:
  • Activism is self-care.  Speak up with passion to participate in creating change.
The kids in this conference show us exactly how it’s done. She continues with tips from her own life that are extremely helpful, any time we may experience distress or anxiety:Reach out to your friends and family to feel loved and not alone. 
  • Start journaling as an alternate way when you don’t have someone to speak to.
  • Try prayer, Yoga or meditation as a way to stay grounded.
  • Take personal care and hygiene seriously, because, and so she says “looking good makes you feel good.”
And to add icing to her already jaw-dropping wisdom, Sariyah even promotes her own skin care line as a means to take care of yourself. How cool is that? 

These creative young leaders and their messages demonstrate their resilience, and thereby set an example for all of us who may feel lost, hopeless, or even confused at times. They remind us, in their unique way, that while this pandemic may seem overwhelming, we all have only very little we need to do in order to stay safe. 

​By Janine Grossmann @ Quest For You 

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Invitation for Creative Young People — Supporting COVID-19 Awareness in Alameda County

8/4/2020

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Did you know that as of August 2, there were 11,4841 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 189 deaths in Alameda County? We want YOU to help change that! Vision Quilt is part of a county-wide initiative encouraging young people to wear masks.

We’re inviting young people ages 13-24 to submit original creative works focused on encouraging youth to wear masks.

The four categories for submissions are:
  • Social Media – a general meme, or a post that is 1-minute or less for Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram
  • Design/Artwork – a reproducible graphic design or artwork that can be used for  a poster, a t-shirt or hat insignia, postcard, etc.
  • Song or Spoken Word – up to 3-minutes (includes Rap, Spoken Word and Poetry)
  • Video – up to 3-minutes, without or without music

Your submission should focus on one or more of the following topics: (1) why it is essential to use face-coverings, (2) how to wear face-coverings properly, (3) good hygiene, and (4) the importance of physical distancing. Contestants are encouraged to be creative and inspiring!

Youth can submit up to two submissions— once we receive your submission and evaluate it, you’ll receive a $30 Visa Gift Card!

Vision Quilt will share selected submissions on social media, and we will choose one submission in each category to compete in the Alameda County Public Health Department’s All Alameda County Mask On Campaign. The winners of the County Mask On Campaign will have their work used in public messaging throughout Alameda County!

Register here to participate in the contest: https://forms.gle/KJGV8AEZqPpQ7pAG6

Upon completing your registration, you must submit your piece(s) by September 10, 2020. Submissions should be emailed to visionquilt@gmail.com or texted to 541-690-6976.

Contest Rules

  1. Contest is open to young people ages 13-24 living in Alameda County, California.

  2. Your submission should focus on one or more of the following topics:
    — Why it is essential to use face-coverings
    — How to wear face-coverings properly
    — Good hygiene
    — The importance of physical distancing

  3. The four categories for submissions are:
    — Social Media: a general meme, or a post that is 1-minute or less for Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram
    — Design/Artwork: a reproducible graphic design or artwork that can be used for  a poster, a t-shirt or hat insignia, postcard, etc.
    — Song or Spoken Word: up to 3-minutes (includes Rap, Spoken Word and Poetry)
    — Video: up to 3-minutes, without or without music

  4. Submissions are welcome in any language, particularly for ethnic groups hit hard by COVID-19. 

  5. All submissions should be original and the creator — you! — will be credited. By submitting your piece, you give permission for Vision Quilt and our partners to share your work online, i.e. via social media and email.

  6. Contestants must register by filling out this Google form:  https://forms.gle/KJGV8AEZqPpQ7pAG6

  7. Submissions are due by September 10, 2020 and should be sent via email to visionquilt@gmail.com or by texting to 541-690-6976. Submissions can be in any file format (png, jpg, pdf, wav, mp3, mov, mp4, etc.). 

  8. Contestants will receive a $30 Visa Gift Card for each accepted submission. Youth may enter up to 2 submissions. Submissions can be made in the same category or in a different category.

  9. Vision Quilt will award a total of 60 Visa Gift Cards. After the funds are awarded, contestants can still submit entries to be considered for the County contest.

  10. A team of Vision Quilt youth and artists will judge the entries, and select a winner from each category to compete in the All Alameda County Mask On Campaign.
    The County winners will be reproduced and distributed by the County.  

  11. For questions, please contact Cathy DeForest, Executive Director of Vision Quilt: visionquilt@gmail.com or call/text 541-690-6976. 

Thank you for helping to keep your friends, family, neighbors and elders safe!
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Staying Creative with VQ Intern Samantha Pelayo and Her Brother Lorenzo

7/15/2020

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Here is a powerful blog post from Samantha Pelayo, one of our Vision Quilt interns:

We hope everyone is doing well during these uncertain times. Since we aren’t certain whether we are going back to school this fall, Vision Quilt provided us with art kits that keep us learning and being creative. As students at one of the schools that received the art kits, we wanted to share our experience with the art kit. My name is Samantha and my brother’s name is Lorenzo, we both attend Lighthouse Community Charter Public School. I participate in the Vision Quilt Teen Council. My brother is currently participating in the project alongside his 7th grade classmates.

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Lorenzo's completed worksheet for his Vision Quilt panel
After completing his project, my brother reflected that the easiest part of the art kit was when he was brainstorming what his panel was going to look like. His brainstorming included what types of symbols and quotes would be best to represent the word he had chosen. The word he chose was "peace" because he thought it would be best to bring positivity to his panel, and to the idea of gun violence. The thing he enjoyed the most about this project was being able to share his message. At first, my brother was a bit confused and overwhelmed with all the papers he received, but with the help of Charlie’s video and myself, he was able to understand what he had to do in order to complete the project.
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Vision Quilt panel by Lorenzo Pelayo
My brother also stated what his most helpful resource was: “The most helpful resource was my sister because she helped me with feedback. When I didn't understand something or I was confused she would clarify it for me. Finally, she both gave me inspiration and structure for my ideas.”

I believe the reason why I helped him so much was because he needed a reminder of his personal connection to gun violence. I was also present during the event he mentioned, where a man was shot by our home so I understand what he must have felt like, especially since I know him well. I believe every student should have a family member or teacher help out. This topic might be overwhelming or confusing but having someone else to be there with you helps 
-- especially if you are willing to share something personal you went through.
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Lorenzo's artist statement
Overall, this experience was fun. The best part was the art kit, getting creative, and spending time with family. Although we did run into a bit of our dark past, we are still grateful that we got to share our experience.
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Annette Bernhardt
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    • West Oakland Middle School ArtEsteem
    • Northwest Academy of the Arts
    • Lighthouse Community Charter School
    • Catholic Charities Peace and Justice Academy
    • FACES Public Health Institute
    • Grandparents Against Gun Violence Kansas City
    • Khadafy Washington Survivor Project
    • SF Poster Syndicate & San Quentin
    • International Day to End Violence
  • Our Vision
    • Our Vision
    • Our History
    • Contact
    • Who We Are
  • Results
    • Results
    • VQ Blog
    • VQ Voices
    • Purchase Vision Quilt Book
  • Take Action
    • Make a Panel
    • Workshops & Exhibitions
    • Community Conversations
    • Toolkits & Curriculum
    • Partner with Vision Quilt
  • Donate