Identity

  • Our Migrant Story

    October 3, 2017 /

    We left crumbled governments only to experience what seems like downfall of yet another one, the difference is that we still have a chance to put a stop to the course. Immigrants have greatly contributed to the success of this country since it was founded, and the majority of DACA recipients continue to do so. They've become a scapegoat to hate, just like many other minorities have become in the past. Do not let us be divided.

    DACA  DACAmented  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  Dreamers  immigration  immigration reform  spotlight  
  • Our Love is not so different

    September 23, 2017 /

    I made this poem because I know people who still struggle with their identity and being accepted.  Too many times, I’ve gotten in arguments to defend my friends and family. This is a very sensitive subject to me, and I feel I must stand up against hate because  LGBTQ+ love is no different from any other love.

    LGBTQ  pride week  pride weekend  pride. lgbtq+  spotlight  
  • My Life Changing Experience in DC

    August 29, 2017 /

    I was told this trip would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I never imagined it would make a huge impact on my life, allowing me find confidence in who I am and fueling me to become a champion for equal rights.

    CHCI  immigration  mexican  R2L NextGEN  spotlight  washington DC  
  • My Body

    August 9, 2017 /

    A couple of weeks ago, Iris Vang, 17, a youth leader with Faith in Merced's Leadership Academy, had the opportunity to attend the 2017 Sisterhood Rising Camp in Portola, Calif. Spending a week in nature connecting with her cultural and ancestral roots inspired her to write about her experience as a young Hmong-American woman. Her poem ‘My Body’ is full of vivid imagery and is an ode to her culture.

    acestors  BHC  camp  culture  Hmong  Hmong-American  sisterhood rising  spotlight  youth  
  • Merced’s youth, still hungry for investment

    August 8, 2017 /

    Above: Members of the Joven Noble youth group during a recent trip to University of California, Merced. The group was founded to help teach Merced youth to embrace and celebrate their cultural heritage. (Photo by Crystal Rivera) By Hannah Esqueda Author’s note: Three years ago We’Ced youth reporter Alyssa Castro dissected the issue of youth funding in the Merced community. Read More

    disconnected youth  disengaged  EMPOWER  Joven Noble  merced county  Merced County Office of Education  spotlight  Workforce Investment Board  Yosemite High School  youth  
  • Merced’s latest mural celebrates city’s cultural diversity

    July 28, 2017 /

    By Alexander Salas Photos by Crystal Rivera and Alyssa Castro   MERCED, Calif. — Last Saturday one of Merced’s local community youth groups, Faith in Merced (FIM), had a major event to showcase a mural they advocated for earlier this year. Read More

    art  Faith In Merced  mural  south merced  spotlight  youth