Wednesday had arrived, my last day in San Francisco, last day in the mission district, last day with the kitties, and last day to make sure I'd had enough fruit and veggie tacos to last me through a Wisconsin winter. Luckily I had a meeting with one more amazing organization before I had to leave. Walking the distance to meet with Chad, the Program Director at 7 Tepees, I stumbled upon murals I had somehow missed in my extensive wanderings in the mission. Huge portraits and images of youth empowerment covered three-story buildings, schools, and walls that lasted a city-block. I couldn't resist poking my camera through chain link fences to get a better shot. When I reached 7 Tepees, their building was no exception as a mural stretched far above and over the door. A woman let me in, and I followed her up the stairs to an expanse of space with tables, computers, and a small kitchen(for those of you who haven't notice I've developed a mild to serious obsession with the idea of space, and daydream regularly about creating a safe and welcoming space for youth and art to flourish, with painted walls, chalk boards......). After exchanging introductions with Chad, and getting a full tour of the rooms dedicated to after school work, counseling, support groups, and various other activities, we both agreed that we were in need of some caffeine.
Over a cup of coffee at at cafe around the corner, Chad explained the beginning of their organization. 7 Tepees was founded in 1995 by Danny, a retired juvenile justice judge, and Hully, and Native American shaman. Coming from the traditional justice system, Danny had seen many kids come through the courts that had received some kind of service from a youth organization, but felt that none worked with youth for a long enough period of time. He was dedicated to creating an alternative that would connect with youth over a long period time, building strong and lasting relationships that would support youth in making positive and healthy decisions for their lives. Hully has guided the organization’s spiritual element, leading outings and opportunities for youth to connect with nature. Danny and Hully had help from seven other community members who now constitute the board of directors, offering guidance and support as the organization has grown. These board members are still very active in the organization dedicating their time volunteering, fund-raising, and networking in the community. From this beginning, 7 Tepees has held the view that people will develop naturally when given the right support, and that each person has the capability of determining what is best for themselves. This view has guided the way the organization works with youth, and staff focus on supporting and helping guide youth while maintaining respect for their self-determination. Chad explained that in order to do this they have a lot of activities and programing designed to build kids' self-esteem through setting achievable goals that challenge them to do things they've never tried before, and celebrating once they've done it successfully.
Since 1995 the program has grown to work with 30 new 6th graders each year and continues to work with them through their graduation of high school. Over the course of six grade levels, youth participate in after school programing that helps them with homework and engages them in activities such as working on the computers, cooking, and painting. There are programs available to help them with professionalism, employment opportunities, and college access. Youth have the opportunity to connect with nature through short and long trips outdoors, including camping overnight and talking about environmental education. In addition to this youth are connected with counseling groups lead by a professional therapist, and grade level group meetings to discuss different topics and organize community service events. There are support groups for parents, and staff develop relationships with parents to provide holistic support for youth and connect with significant people in their lives. Overall, youth are encouraged to try new things, explore who they are and what they enjoy doing, develop goal setting and decision making skills, and connect and stay engaged with their community. This is not always a smooth road, and over the years of intensive mentoring staff stick with kids as they stumble, fall, and find ways to get back up again. Chad explained that one of the first people I had met at the office had been going all week to the classes of one of his middle school mentees because this student had begun to fall off from his school and was seriously struggling. Instead of just yelling at the kid or kicking him out of the program, his mentor stuck with him and became even more engaged to help him figure out what needed to change. In this way the long term relationship between mentor and mentee provided a backbone for positive change in the young person's life, because they know they are not alone in figuring out how to walk their path into adulthood.
When I asked Chad what he felt was the most successful part of their organization, he commented on the return of alumni students who wanted to continue helping with the program as tutors, mentors, and volunteers. He explained that the act of young men and women returning to volunteer their time and energy is a testament to what works best about the programs, and to the fact that they feel a sense of continued respect, gratitude, and connection to the program. It is also extremely rewarding to see youth become young adults through years of development and relationship building. I was struck by this unique opportunity to develop intensive one-on-one long term relationships with youth, something rarely afforded in teaching or other youth-work setting, and its success with youth. I found this really interesting as I increasingly gravitate towards the idea of a program that makes lasting connections with youth, as well as provides opportunities for peer-mentoring and continued leadership opportunities. I was thrilled to see 7 Tepees doing this over such a long period of time with such clear success. While challenging this approach seemed to be a strategy that just makes good sense, as developing the feelings of trust and safety necessary for growth and change often require time. I puzzled about how to work this into my own vision of programing. Thank you Chad for helping me puzzle it out, and sharing the growth, vision, and philosophy behind the wonderful work you do.
It was time, 5:30 the next morning to go get my train. In a mad dash by taxi I managed to get to the incorrect bus that would take me to the similarly wrong Amtrak station, and somehow still managed to get on the right train. I think some well wishes are to thank for it. With a familiar I-made-it relief, I got onto the train that would take me further south to L.A., last stop before home, YEAH! As the car steward gave me a seat on the 'ocean view' side, I was feeling pretty lucky, and anticipated the scenery of the day to come. The next twelve hours were definitely the most beautiful of my trip so far, and due to the early departure most of the trip was made in daylight. A myriad of colors glided past the window in the forms of shrubs, grass, and exposed earth. Rainbow layers covered the rolling hills turning to mountains, and over the swells of blue-purple and red-brown earth were leaves of green shading to yellow, orange, and red. As the sun started to set, sand dunes began to appear in patches of creamy yellow against the spray of color, and gradually gave way to the the Pacific Ocean. The coastline plunged down to the surf just beyond the window I was glued to, and as the sun slipped below a distant dark blue it shot a final parting glance of brilliant crimson over the surface of the water. Cameras of fellow passengers clicked rapidly as we shared this moment we'd been waiting for together for the past ten hours (one of the many perks of train travel is the shared drama of landscape transformations, you wait a long time for them). Finally we had made it, and I was off to my next stop in 'the hills' of L.A. No joke the closest street is Malibu Ave.
Well that's all for now folks, more to be reported about L.A. and the streets of Beverley Hills(I took a picture to prove it).
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