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“Standing Alone”

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:51:42 +0000

This week we are pleased to share an original poem and accompanying photograph from Jessica, age 16. Jessica is a recent addition to our PhotoCity class at Crawford High School. Jessica’s poem is about standing up for your beliefs whatever they may be.

Photo by Jessica, age 16.

“Standing Alone”

I live in a community

Where violence is common

Children are killed

Teens have no respect

All you see is a wrecked community

No one cares

No one listens

Someone saves those who are innocent

Those who have hope

Those who have a future

My words aren’t enough

But someone can always make a

Difference by raising their voice,

Stand up for what you believe on.

Be a leader

Be someone

Be yourself

Vivo en una comunidad

Donde hay violencia en cada rincón

Se matan a los niños

Los jovenes no tienen respeto

Todo lo que veas es un barrio destruido

Nadie le importa

Nadie se escucha

Alguien salva a los inocentes

Los que tengan la esperanza

Los que tienen un futuro

Mis palabras no son suficientes

Pero siempre hay alguien que puede

Hacer una diferencia con su voz

Diga su propia verdad

Sea un líder

Sea alguien

Sé tu mismo

Opportunities in City Heights: “Everyone has a chance to succeed”

admin — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:02:14 +0000

AjA’s PhotoCity class at Crawford High School has spent the last couple of weeks using abstract photography to showcase the negative and positive aspects of socializing in City Heights. Fernanda, age 16, captured two images that she felt represented the positive and negative sides to her local social life. However, Fernanda’s images also exhibit the complexity of issues within City Heights since each photograph has its own positive and negative message.

Negative Image of Socializing

“I took this image because for me it looks so sad and alone.” Fernanda was reminded of the Holocaust when she captured this image “because it looks dirty and hopeless”. She was able to capture a representation of the racism she encounters in City Heights. Unfortunately, the incredible positive effects of diversity in City Heights can be obscured by violence, and can make socializing between groups of youth difficult. “Racism can occur for the littlest things. There’s a big problem with racism because of their color or sometimes for no reason at all. Racism can happen everywhere at any time,” says Fernanda.

Positive Image of Socializing

Fernanda still sees chances for kids to succeed in City Heights despite the obstacles they may encounter, though. “This image is telling me that everyone can be successful in their own way because every flower in that tree is a person and they all bloom.” Fernanda is optimistic about local students’ ability to succeed, even if they may falter a bit before they can seek help. “If you work hard, you can get scholarships for college. Also, there’s after-school programs so they can help if you’re struggling. Everyone has a chance to succeed if they want to.”

‘Still some really good opportunities’ in City Heights

admin — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:46:21 +0000

If you’ve been following the AjA Project Speak City Heights blog, you know that students have been reflecting on the positive and negative sides to socializing in City Heights as a teenager. One student, Michael, age 16, is doing just that. He created two images, one that represents a negative side and one that represents a positive side.

The Negative Side to Socializing in City Heights

“Something that I would like to say about socializing as a teen in City Heights is it’s hard for some kids to go on the right path in life because of their surroundings. The friends they hang out and grow up with.

In City Heights it’s honestly not hard for young teens to purchase tobacco and alcoholic products. Some people at the age of eighteen purchase will buy it and then give it to minors, or some store owners will even sell it to minors.

In order to reduce the population of young smokers, I want to inform them with the risks of smoking and what it will do to your body with fliers, commercials and anti-smoking clubs.”

The Positive Side to Socializing in City Heights

“This picture represents life and opportunities to be successful. Even if you grow up in a area that may be frowned upon like City Heights there are still some really good opportunities that schools have to offer that a lot of other schools to don’t have to offer. For example, some people laugh at my school because of the area it’s in and what goes on in and around it. When they don’t know the really good things it has to offer so you can be successful in life.

I want to show people the positive things City Heights has to offer and take peoples eyes away from the negative things.”

To read more about The AjA Project, visit our website.

City Heights youth: ‘Give teens more places to go’

admin — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:37:45 +0000

As part of the Speak City Heights collaborative, AjA is continuing PhotoCity classes at local schools in City Heights. At Crawford High School, students are focusing their photography on examining the social opportunities available to them within their community. In particular, students are examining both the positive and negative aspects of socializing in City Heights.

Many of AjA’s students have lived in City Heights for most of their lives; their community has played a large part in shaping their identities and opinions. City Heights is their home. Just like any of us, they see improvements that could be made and seek those improvements to make their community even stronger. Their PhotoCity projects demonstrate that they are hopeful for positive change within their community.

One student, Freddy, age 15, describes his experience in City Heights as an Alice in Wonderland effect: “Some of the things you see happen in this community can drive you slightly mad.” Freddy is exploring the idea that people and their actions are often products of their environment. Crime breeds more crime when kids see it on a daily basis and it becomes normalized. “You can fix the issue by giving teens more places to go to, such as parks, community centers, etc. and keep them out of trouble,” says Freddy.

I wanted it to represent something you'd see from "Alice in Wonderland". To show that it can make you crazy and not see things straight. And once you become crazy it leads to doing stupid things. I feel that some of the things you see happen in this community can drive you slightly mad.

For her project Alex, age 17, reflects on how public spaces can encourage socializing.

When you sit on a bench you just look around see the world more as you sit down and look. But when someone sits next to you, you start warming up or talking to the person next to you. A friendship sparks. If we had more and newer benches we could have more friendships around. We could have more rest stops...to relax and let yourself go.

Hawa, age 18, sees her photograph as a representation of the innerconnectedness of her community.

It show how everyone are connect together. It feel like we are one and we all care about each other.

For more about the AjA Project, visit www.ajaproject.org

‘The most beautiful pearl is in the most ugliest shell’

admin — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:17:36 +0000

AjA students, through the PhotoCity program, are constantly reflecting on how City Heights affects their lives as the youth of the community. They recently took a field trip around City Heights to photograph what they like and don’t like about City Heights, and how they would make things better if they were in charge. While the project is ongoing, we wanted to share some highlights coming out of the project thus far, with much more to come.

"In this photo, a tree has no leaves (leaves represent nature in City Heights and the tree represents City Heights). This could affect my life because my surroundings can easily change my mood, so it might be better. If I were in charge, I were to have a lot of plants and trees planted. Also, anyone who interfered with the growth of nature would be punished." - Melissa, age 13

"Even though City Heights is not the best place people want to be, their are still things that are beautiful. You just have to look really hard. The most beautiful pearl is in the most ugliest shell but it's worth the wait. That is what City Heights means to me, the most beautiful pearl is in the most ugliest shell." - Mikaela, age 14

"I picked this picture because people are spray painting on people's property, and it makes City Heights look ugly. To change this I would make a group center that people can spray paint." - Juan Carlos, age 13

CHS student identifies importance of after-school tutors

admin — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:58:38 +0000

The AjA Project is continuing its collaborative with Speak City Heights and we have some amazing work coming from our PhotoCity class at Crawford High School. Crawford students were asked to focus their photo essay on what most affects their health at school. Ismahan, age 18, chose to draw attention to the importance of after-school tutors, particularly for ESL students. She says “the afterschool tutor is very important because they help the newcomer to learn English.” While Ismahan is grateful for the afterschool tutoring program at Crawford, she also feels that more tutors are still needed. If she could change something at Crawford, she would hire more afterschool tutors to help students who are struggling and to help those who are learning English for the first time.

This is afterschool tutor class in Crawford High School. Tutor help us to do our homework in Crawford High School.

There are two tutor that are helping the student with there homework and there are many student in the afterschool tutor program. They are more student than tutor which is not enough.

This student is getting help from afterschool tutor program and he is a newcomer. Afterschool tutor is very important because they help the newcomer to learn English.

This is Ms. Kylie in the afterschool program she help her class. There are too many student in class. We need more tutor at Crawford.

AjA student looks at the effects of large class sizes

admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:25:43 +0000

As part of The AjA Project Photocity program, students at Crawford High School spent time using participatory photography to examine what factors at their school effect their health. This week we are showcasing a photo essay by Crawford High School student, Hawa, age 18. She used her photo essay as an opportunity to highlight the issue of overcrowded classes in her high school. Hawa focused on the problem of classroom overcrowding because according to her “when there are a lot of student the teacher can’t see what is going on with the rest of the student”. She feels that the more one on one time teachers can have with their students the more the students will actually be able to understand their school work. Hawa chose to focus on these issue because she says “it is important to me…to understand what is going on in the class with the teacher.” If Hawa could make a change at Crawford she would ask the administration to hire more teachers for the student body. In her eyes, without enough teachers in class it doesn’t feel like everyone is getting enough education and instruction.

This picture take place at the school. There are student going to school. It is in the morning. Parent take there kids to learn. I care because student need to learn.

The student in class. Some student are working and some aren't working. The student rises her hand to ask a question and the teacher don't have time to help once at all. I care because I want one on one with my teacher when I understand something. I care because it give the teacher time to help all the student not only one student.

The teacher and the students. The teacher is helping the student and the other student are doing something each in the classroom. When there are a lot of student the teacher can't see what is going on the the rest of the student. I care because less student will help the teacher to see what is going on with the student.

Many life in one spot!? It mean there are a lot of student in the same class. Is like there is not enough space for the student. Student care because if there are too many student, they wouldn't learn. People should care because we as all student need help to have more teacher.

Student are in the picture. The teacher is helping with her work because the teacher have time to help his student. The teacher is have one on one time with the student because it help the student to learn and understand. I care because I love to have one on one with teacher.

CHS student examines school lunches

admin — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:48:44 +0000

This week’s AjA Project photo essay was created by a Crawford High School senior, Alex, as a part of the Speak City Heights collaborative on health issues in City Heights. Alex choose to look at the options available during school lunch. In her words, “The reason why I chose [this topic] is because I am lactose intolerant and I can’t drink milk that’s given at school. I decided to do this topic because not all foods are good, but there is also foods that can be better.” When asked about the solution to the problem, Alex said that she “would go to the school board and demand a new school lunch menu, with better healthier options.”

School foods give many options of food, they all may have vegetables or chicken. But what about for vegetarians? We all don't eat the same foods.

Public schools offer various choices of meals. Some healthy, some not so healthy. Are schools really limited to foods? Food is limited. They run out of the nutritious food and all that's left is the nasty food. Food shouldn't have to be limited.

In this photo you can see what people eat in lunch. Milk and Hot Cheetos. People tend to mix different foods together. But are they all healthy enough. Is the school food really giving what they claim "health foods." Do they really have vitamins and nutrients

This photograph shows a much more closer image of a school plate offered at Crawford. It's a detailed shot showing the colors and textures of a "nutritious" meal. More healthier meals should be offered at school such as these.

Many options are offered here in school, but I think that more options should be offered in order for us to grow more healthier and better. These photos show some of the good options.

Read more about The AjA Project and Speak City Heights

Student at CHS speaks out about graffiti at school

admin — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 02:25:37 +0000

The Speak City Heights collaborative is in full swing and students at Crawford High School are adding their voices to the conversation. Using photography and narrative, students are examining health issues at Crawford—physical, mental and social health—and speaking to the issues that most directly affect their daily lives. One student, Karla, chose to create a photo essay on the topic of graffiti; in her words, “Graffiti is something bad and hurtful for students and also damages and defiant for property. It’s important to me because it is a distraction in school and it can result into school fights.” As a potential solution to the problem of graffiti at Crawford, she offered this suggestion: “Make a club for students to show their art and express their feelings in a responsible way, instead of writing on school property.”

"This photograph shows an example were the graffiti happens more. It shows that graffiti can come with anyone and anyone regardless of their physical state or appearance." - Karla

"This photograph shows a lot of writing in a wood desk. It shows that people spend their time just writing instead of paying attension in school." - Karla

"This photograph shows writing in a wall. It has rude comments, inappropriate words. It shows that people don't care how the walls look. The writing makes the wall look really ugly." - Karla

"This photographs show graffity in a pole. This is a gang graffiti that was written in a chair." - Karla

To learn more about the AjA project, go to www.ajaproject.org. Learn more about Speak City Heights here.

Participatory photography project helps refugees voice need for medical translation

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:50:50 +0000

AjA recently partnered on an exciting, new short-term project called Face to Face with the Mid-City CAN’s Access to Health Care momentum team. Access to Health Care is a community advocacy group calling for in-person interpretation services to be available at all clinics and hospitals in San Diego. Every member of the team has a profound story to tell, from receiving unnecessary medical procedures to administering the wrong medication to a family member, all due to inadequate medical interpretation. Over the course of two weeks, AjA worked with members of the team to help them share their stories through photography and narratives. We then combined their words and images onto large vinyl banners and displayed them at the Health Care Enrollment and Resource Fair held on November 17th at Colina del Sol Park. The banners helped attendees understand the implications of not having in-person interpretation services as well as how everyone can benefit from better interpretation services. These banners will be used as a traveling exhibit to support the advocacy efforts of the Access to Health Care team and serve as a powerful example of what can happen when community groups work together to achieve a common goal.