The G.I.G (Grow In Grace) Project

Youth economic advancement

Central LA South LA East LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Youth economic advancement is a sensitive issue. Many parents, principals, and politicians oppose the idea believing such advancement a threat to order by submission. A book titled "The Crack Generation" reveals the dangers to family structure presented by youth making more money than their parents. Yet, institutions being built to "secure" youth from their parents or lack thereof, from their communities blighted and/or besieged, and ultimately unfortunately from their truest highest selves are certainly not the answer. Be they correctional institutions deemed unsuitable by law or those patterned after our shameful history.
The GIG fellowship addresses youth economic advancement with opportunities to create compassionate community for all to thrive at being their best selves. Far from goals and tactics of past failures. Imagine relationships built and sustained by love and care more than lucre and coercion. Imagine the love in longevity when we actually follow our futures.

The GIG fellowship maximize synergy of cooperation and competition through youth economic empowerment by challenging two teams in learning, creating and facilitating solutions to secondary issues as recognized by the youth. Through an earn to learn fellowship, two teams of 6 youth, each having 2 youth at heart coaches enjoy 8 sessions over 8 months to engage arts, education, games and historical strategies for addressing those secondary issues of this 2050 Challenge grant as deemed most pertinent by youth.
During these fellowship session youth will learn history and create models of Washington Monument, experience the Flagway Game and Math Literacy Workers from Young People's Project, learn transformative justice and peace keeping from Youth Justice Reimagined advocates. Youth also learn documentary film skills for capturing the fellowship magic.
Culminating in 3 events produced in collaboration of both teams in competition to raise community support of time, talents and treasure for addressing issues and using methods as directed by youth and their ideas for the economic advancement of their family, friends, and futures.
Culminating events include presentations from the fellows, Flagway and other gaming tournaments, community artist and activist exhibitions, food, fun and family. These events also documented by the fellows serve as examples for other communities and fundraisers for issues to be addressed.

Los Angeles County will be as different as the communities within the county imaged when they imaged - Youth Justice Reimagined and passed Care First Community Initiative. It will look like a safe, joyful environment full of love where all are free to express their true and best selves. LA county will be gracious gardens and healing havens of commitments to honor the dignity of all humanity and loyalty growing in grace.
With communities inspired and two teams of the fellowship excited and equipped to expand, we look forward to businesses rooted in benevolence including yet not limited to education, health care and community safety.