By Sam Skopp
Beginning in 2010, Students Rebuild has been hosting yearly artistic challenges where participating students contribute works of art in service which are matched by donations from the Bezos Family Foundation to a charitable cause. This past year, Students Rebuild held an Youth Uplift Challenge, during which participants created and decorated paper hands, with donations going to Save the Children in support of job training and education for children in Nicaragua and Indonesia. In total, 115,000 students from 28 countries created more than 250,000 hands.
On Saturday, July 29, Students Rebuild held a community event capping off the Youth Uplift Challenge at the Pico Youth and Family Center on Pico Boulevard, inviting local kids to participate in a number of artistic and educational workshops.
“We wanted to come to the Pico Youth Center because the center does great work year round,” said Students Rebuild Manager Leonetta Elaiho. “Today young people who are visiting the event can add their hand to the collection on the panels outside,” she said, referring to a series of panels spelling out “Youth Uplift Teach Empathy” in large lettering outside of the building.
Additionally, street artist Teachr led a stenciling workshop, allowing participating children to add their stencils to the panels.
The event also included an introductory improv workshop led by Nickelodeon star Devon Werkheiser and Upright Citizens Brigade comic Jill Donnelly; a panel of women sharing career advice on the creative industry in LA; and a music industry panel, inspired by the recording studio open to kids at the Pico Youth Center year-round.
“This year we wanted to try something that was really community-based and collaborative,” said Elaiho. “Our mission is to inspire young people to connect, learn and take action around critical global issues.”
For more information on Students Rebuild, visit studentsrebuild.org.
One of two students who contributed to the mural outside the Youth Center.
