About Us
Youth Spirit Artworks started in 2007 as a response to the challenges faced by Alameda County’s transitional age youth impacted by adversity, economic and housing challenges.
We provide holistic engagement, intervention and opportunity offering transitional housing, leadership development utilizing Art as Therapy and by celebrating Youth Empowerment in community, beauty, land, history and freedom.
Our vision is that transitional age youth (16-25) will emerge centered, joyful and thriving in the world.
Our mission is to create spaces of safety, dignity and belonging for healing, transition, growth and development of TQBIPOC youth experiencing various vulnerabilities and challenges.
We believe all youth are capable of healing through a process of support, self-understanding, learning, reconciliation and liberation.
Our Model
Housing
Healing & Personal Development
Transitional Housing Program (18-25)
Case Management & Housing Navigation
Life Skills
Professional Development
Healing Clinics
Mental Health
Resources & Services
Community
& Belonging
Art Workshops
Cultural Events
Nature Trips
Community Events
Youth Centered Art Studio
We believe Art is a healing modality that can assist in emotional expression and generate a building block for youth to journey through healing trauma. The Art Studio offers Art as Therapy, an art workshop series that attaches art expression to healing practices. Within this component, we offer additional life skills workshops that venture into soul care and youth empowerment.
YSA’s arts and social, emotional positive youth development programming is designed to help youth increase artistic knowledge, build new art skills, gain assets, and achieve individual entrepreneurial mindset.
We also offer Youth Leadership opportunities that operate as a Youth Advisory Board. Our Youth Leadership programs help youth form inclusive communities.
Studio Registration Link
Current Studio Hours
Youth Advisory Council
Monday 3:30-7:30pm
Creative Writing Group
Thursday 5:30pm-7:30pm
Mural Workshop
Friday 4:00pm-6:30pm
Art Drop In Time
In between snack & workshop starting
Events
Saturday’s
YSA Transitional Village Program
We believe that if we offer Transitional Housing, along with trauma responsive holistic services focused on healing, recovery and intervention in every dimension of wellness, we can support youth launch towards a future prepared to enter permanent housing and opportunities.
Made by a YSA artist
We offer opportunity to find permanent housing, career and personal goals success through case management, housing navigation, healing modalities, skills training and life skills development.
Board of Directors
jasmine
braxton
chair
tom
mcaninley
vice chair
randall
hudson
Treasurer
Alexandra
Childs
board member
AniKa
dokes
board member
Suzanne
chui sutton
board member
Frank
buffum
board member
valerie
r. silva
board member
Our Funders & Partners
City of Oakland
City of Berkeley
Union Pacific
California Arts Council
County of Alameda Health Care Services
Sierra Health Foundation
Amgen Foundation
Stupski Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Options Recovery
Life Skills & AOD Recovery Support
Telecare
Mental Health- Navigation
New Door Ventures
Professional Development & Employment Linkages
Alameda Family Services
Mental Health- Therapy
Patelco
Financial Wellness & 1:1 Financial Counseling
Dream Youth Clinic
Physical Health- Health Navigator-Psychiatry
Individual Family Donors & Faith Based Organizations