December 2022 Newsletter ☃️

Happy holidays everyone! Stay safe and cozy this holiday season!❄️

Marin 9 to 25 is an action-oriented collective of Marin
County youth and adults dedicated to realizing positive
and equitable outcomes for youth age 9 to 25.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
Call 988 for free 24/7 confidential support.

Crisis Text Line: Text MARIN to 741741

News and Announcements 📢

Marin 9 to 25 Quarterly Steering Committee Meeting

The next Marin 9 to 25 Steering Committee Meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, December 15 from 4:30 - 6pm. The theme for the meeting is Academic Support, Career and College Readiness. They keynote speaker is Jonathan Lucha from Marin’s Community School, and we will hear presentations from youth representing Career Explorers (Josh Rowe and Alison Paxtor), Homework Helpers (Sarani Puri), Jewish Family and Children’s Services (Julia Gibson), and Crossroads (Zac Resneck), Register here.

All youth ages 9-25 who attend who are not scholarship recipients will receive a $25 gift card.

OD Free Marin Youth Action Team Meeting

The next OD Free Marin Youth Action Team meeting will take place on January 5 at 4 pm.

Register here.

All youth who attend will receive a 25$ gift card.

The Youth Action Team is dedicated to serving young people and uplifting the youth voice. The team is led by youth and adult allies seeking to reduce opioid misuse through prevention, harm reduction and treatment in Marin County.

CPR Class by Opening The World

Meet Marin 9 to 25 Intern Gabby Agar!

Hello, Marin 9 to 25 Community!

My name is Gabriellah “Gabby” Agar and I am interning with Marin 9 to 25. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and share how I approach this work. I graduated from Dominican University of California in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Global Public Health and a minor in Leadership. Currently, I am a graduate student attending the University of Nevada Reno where I am obtaining my Master of Public Health…

Read More!

Youth Visioning Meeting Highlights

On Monday, December 5th, the Youth Visioning meeting took place at the Multicultural Center of Marin. The youth gathered to discuss important issues in Marin and posed the question, “What is it like for youth in Marin? Discuss positives and negatives”…

Read More!

Follow @marin9to25 on Instagram
for youth events and opportunities!

Opportunities! ⭐️

2023 Anti-Human Trafficking Teen Poster, Writing & Music Contest

The San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (SFCAHT) is excited to offer to students and teachers this fantastic opportunity at the intersection of social justice and arts!

Contest Theme: “Lift Us out of the Shadows.”

Prizes in each category: 1st prize: $500, 2nd prize: $200, 3rd prize: $50

Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 5PM

————————————————————————————

Arts and Culture Grant by Multicultural Center of Marin

The Multicultural Center of Marin is accepting applications from Marin-based artists to produce a commissioned work of art. The universal theme is your ‘Origin Story.’ Tell us how you would create a work of art to be performed or exhibited in Marin County that depicts the Origin Story from your culture. All art forms will be considered by our judges. Each grant awardee will receive $5,000 to $6,500.

Accepted Application formats: Video submission, In-person meeting, Email, Text, or Paper submission (dropped off at MCM or one of the partner organizations). Submitting in your native language is allowed.

Application Deadline: December 30, 2022

————————————————————————————

Opening the World Internship Opportunity

OTW is a Marin County based non-profit program. OTW serves transitional age youth (ages 16 to 26) by offering: educational and vocational classes, community service, bonding activities, therapeutic opportunities, leadership, and travel. Apply at: www.openingtheworld.org. For more information contact info@openingtheworld.org.

————————————————————————————

Directing Change Opportunity - Monthly Art Prompt Contest

The Directing Change Program offers young people the opportunity to win prizes, express their feelings, take action, and inspire others through film and art. The monthly Hope & Justice category asks young people in grades 5-12 (ages 12-25) to explore how they are coping through tough times and the change they want to see in their communities. Win up to $300 in Amazon gift cards!

————————————————————————————

Internship Opportunities Through Marin County Office of Education

The Marin County School to Career Partnership offers an Internship program for public high school students in Marin County. The program offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on workplace skills and to test their academic knowledge in a real-world setting. Internship sessions are available in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Internships may vary depending upon the needs of the students, the needs of the employers, and the requirements of the School to Career program. Every effort is made to find an internship placement for students in one of their top three choices; however, some internships are not available every semester, and choices are limited in certain industry areas. The School to Career Liaisons coordinates with students, teachers, and employers to ensure that each student has a meaningful learning experience. Most of the internships are unpaid, although there might be some paid opportunities.

————————————————————————————

Marin Against Youth Abuse Teen Dating Violence is Common! MAYA educates healthy relationship advocates through training and meaningful, collaborative awareness activities all year.

————————————————————————————

Marinterns Program through Marin County

The Marinterns program nurtures the power of individuals to make a difference, change lives, and improve the quality of life. Interns engage in real-world projects and collaborate with civic professionals, sharing a vision of the lasting legacy that is unique to public service. This unique experience allows participants to grow personally and professionally while exploring potential careers.

————————————————————————————

Champion Men’s Zone

Be a part of something bigger than yourself. Get $$$ to become a Healthy Masculinity Advocate by joining the Champion Men's Zone. A program for boys and young men from 13 - 18yrs old discussing healthy manhood and healthy relationships.

_________________________________________________________

Upcoming Events 🗓️

Top TIPS for Supporting Kids in Times of Uncertainty and Stress

The Marin County Office of Education is hosting “Top TIPS for Supporting Kids in Times of Uncertainty and Stress” with author and national speaker Julie Kurtz. Her expertise in training on trauma and resilience promotes the concept of optimal brain integration maximizing the growth of our best selves. Registration here.

Sessions in English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Middle school and high school ages.

December 12 and 13, 6 pm - 8 pm

————————————————————————————

Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Meeting on LGBTQ+ Perspectives

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is hosting a virtual listening session to gather information from LGBTQ+ perspectives on how to make our services more affirming and accessible for those who identify as LGBTQ+. We are planning on having Spanish interpretation and closed captioning available for this event. Register here.

December 15, 6 pm -7:30 pm

————————————————————————————
Marin County Online Forum on TRUTH ACT

Marin County residents are invited to participate in an online community forum about a California law called the TRUTH Act and the access local governments may provide to federal immigration authorities. The online forum is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 13.

December 13, 5 pm

————————————————————————————

Marin Symphony Holiday POPS Concert 2022

Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium San Rafael, CA

Celebrate the season with your friends and family, as the magnificent Marin Symphony Orchestra presents a program of holiday-inspired music, with Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz and vocal magic.

Buy Tickets Here.

December 13, 7pm

 ————————————————————————————

Marin Center Theatre: Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop

Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium San Rafael, CA

Marin Dance Theatre, an internationally recognized dance training center, located in San Rafael, presents this delightful full-length children’s ballet choreographed by the Bay Area's accomplished choreographer and MDT Artistic Director, Lynn Cox. This will be the 26th-year celebration of this enchanting story about Sophie!

The full-length ballet of “Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop” features over 120 dancers of all ages, including professional guest artists. Enjoy the Dickens-style street scene that comes alive with townspeople, aristocrats, school children, cadets and mysterious masqued players. A kindly toymaker arrives with his mischievous alley cats and is touched by Sophie's generous, kind spirit. He rewards her with an amazing journey to a beautiful snow kingdom filled with snow princesses, fairies, and other delights. He then sends her on a magical sleigh ride where she finds herself at the Toymaker's shop. Sophie is treated to dancing clowns, soldiers, bunnies, and dolls from many countries, all performing for her. It is a journey she truly will never forget.

Buy tickets here for December 17.

Buy tickets here for December 18.

December 17, 5pm & December 18, 2pm

————————————————————————————

Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative Meeting

Let’s start the New Year together as we reflect on what we’ve accomplished, hear report outs by our Community Action Teams, and share your vision for our next steps. Bring your ideas, energy, and creativity for this interactive meeting—and a friend or colleague with you! Register here.

January 4, 2 pm - 3 pm

————————————————————————————

Anime Club at Novato Library

The Novato Library hosts an Anime club every second Saturday of the month. Teens between the ages of 12 and 18 can join the Anime Club! We will meet once a month to discuss and/or watch anime, create anime-inspired crafts, and more! We will sample Japanese treats, create Soot Sprites, and discuss our favorite anime series.
For more information, please contact the Teen Librarian, Nicole, at nhight@marincounty.org

————————————————————————————

TAY Space Activities

TAY Space offers weekly activities for youth ages 16-25 in the San Rafael office on a drop-in basis. Visit the office at 810 5th Avenue, Ste 100, San Rafael, CA 94901.

————————————————————————————

Marin County Office of Education Wellness Events’ Page: Find events like mandated reporter training, discussions about law enforcement in the community, and more!

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Events Page: The Outreach and Prevention Team provides community events throughout the year, including awareness events, training opportunities, and town halls. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Marin County Free Library Events Page: Find free educational events and learning opportunities offered by the Marin County Library.

Canal Alliance Events Page: Canal Alliance nonprofit champion of immigrants who are challenged by a lack of resources and an unfamiliar environment. Find events offered by Canal Alliance here.

Multicultural Center of Marin Click here to find events put on by the Multicultural Center of Marin.

————————————————————————————

Youth Expression

Marin 9 to 25 is highlighting news and youth voices that are addressing youth needs and programs in Marin County. Please send submissions to info@marin9to25.org so that we can amplify this work.

Read more by clicking each title link.

Victoria Martin Builds Long Lasting Relationships As New Madrone Principal

Sofia Rossini, Contributor
November 16, 2022

“In one of the final weeks of school last year, Victoria Martin was out in the quad setting up a graduation ceremony for Madrone High School’s graduating class. She was directing staff about where to set up mics, rearranging chairs, and preparing for her speech about how proud she was of the kids and what they had accomplished.

The dedication I saw that day remained present a few weeks ago when I spoke to her for the first time. She spoke highly of her students and staff, not just of their hard work but also of their character. She described the kids as “disconnected from school,” not as the bad students or bad people stereotypes conceive them to be.”

————————————————————————————

Lane Dooling and the Marin History Museum: ‘Because History Isn’t Boring!’

Jacob Salveson, Contributor
December 6, 2022

“As I gathered my notes and laptop, with a smile, Lane revealed the unwritten motto of the Marin History Museum: “Because history isn’t boring!” From triumph to tragedy to overcoming adversity, Lane and the Marin History Museum shared a parallel journey. While the walls of the building are stoic and inactive, Lane, and all of the Marin History Museum staff, fill those rooms with warmth and vitality. Speaking with Lane Dooling in the Marin History Museum, one thing became clear: history is not dead. It is not just in books. History is right before us, living and breathing, and most certainly isn’t boring!”

————————————————————————————

Super Smash Bros Team Arrives At Terra Linda

Chloe Hu
December 6, 2022

“The rise of competitive video games has led to significant growth in the world of esports. There are a variety of games which teams partake in, ranging from tactical first-person shooters to multiplayer online battle arenas or even to battle royales. Terra Linda enters the high school esports scene this year, creating a team playing a very notable crossover fighting game series created by Nintendo, Super Smash Bros. 

The Founder and Coach, William Luong, states his primary reason for starting our school’s esports team was due to the fact that he has enjoyed playing Super Smash Bros ever since its release in 1999. He’d always liked gaming, but although he was a relatively competitive student, he was not interested in playing athletic sports. Unfortunately, his school did not have an esports league, so he wasn’t provided an alternative that may have allowed him to express his competitiveness in a different way. This made him want to offer a chance to students who are in a similar position to him to join and play in the field of high school esports. Luong says, “I want to give the opportunity to students who want to compete, but either aren’t into sports or can’t play sports because maybe they have some limitation, able to compete as well.”

————————————————————————————

Marin’s Environmental Equity Problem

Kyler Wang
December 7, 2022

“We (Marin City residents) are living fewer years than folks on the left [of Marin City]. We’re living fewer years than folks on the right [of our city]. We’re living fewer years than folks up the street. Call your Supervisors. Call your politicians,” Terrie Green, Executive Director of Marin City Climate Resilience and Health Justice, said at a “walk-a-thon” event at George Rocky Graham Park.

This push for change was motivated by the disproportionate impact that climate change has on the lives of Marin City residents. Since Marin City is unprotected and directly adjacent to Highway 101, it is constantly exposed to both air and water pollution from the freeway. Additionally, there is rising concern about backed up air vapor in pipes at multiple decommissioned contaminated sites and dilapidated infrastructure, making the area more prone to flooding. All of these environmental hurdles decrease the lifespan of residents.

According to Green, Marin City residents have a life expectancy that is 20 years shorter than in surrounding areas. Marin City also has both the highest chronic disease rate and disability rate in all of Marin County. The health issues that this community faces are unjust considering that Marin County as a whole was ranked the healthiest county in California in 2022.”

————————————————————————————

_____________________________________________________

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, subscribe here.