A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

     June is here and there are many things acknowledged during this time– Pride, Men’s Mental Health Awareness, Juneteenth… just to name a few! Hopefully you are able to take some time to engage in a local community event that highlights one of the various causes this month (there will be a couple of options shared below). Also, be sure you tune into our social media to see upcoming stories from community members that amplify what the month of June is all about. 

     Last month, we hosted our first Walk Club gathering. If you couldn't make it, don’t worry, we will be doing another meetup on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 8am (see details below). It was such a pleasure to get outdoors with community members and engage in physical activity that promotes well-being. Did you know that walking for at least 150 minutes a week can help reduce your risk of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes? Walking can also increase energy, improve your memory and mood, and reduce your risk of depression and dementia! Low-impact physical activities, like walking, are wonderful for improving overall health and well-being, which is why we are hoping to get more people in our community up and moving together! 

     On the topic of well-being, it’s important to highlight men's mental health. Research suggests that “depression is set to outpace ischemic heart disease as the number one cause of disease burden worldwide by 2030.” Indeed, the epidemiology behind mental illness and health outcomes shows a much higher prevalence in men. In North America, research has shown that “men make up around 75% of suicide and 75% of substance use disorder (SUD) cases,” which are comorbidities with mental illness. Furthermore, ratios highlight boys and men of color being impacted significantly higher than girls and women of color. There are a variety of factors that influence the occurrence of mental health issues in men, including employment or occupational stressors, family challenges, adverse childhood experiences, and other major life transitions. There is long held stigma around men’s mental health, and the necessity for men to seek help and acknowledge their pain. This is a reminder that is okay to struggle with your mental health, and it is incredibly courageous to seek help! If you are struggling with your mental health, I encourage you to talk with a trusted person. Sharing your voice can be a first major step in prioritizing your health and well-being.

With grace,

A’Kia Walker 

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Help is available, speak with someone today 

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Languages: English, Spanish

Hours: Available 24 hours

Additional resources: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/

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PREVIOUS EVENTS

OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

     SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: DEBRIEF

     As Modesto natives, the founders of Debrief were well aware of issues within the city and strived for a way to solve them. Co-founders Emmanuel Escamilla, Nancy Martinez, and Jose Borroel were brought together as part of a Latino Leadership Initiative cohort, with a shared interest of bringing community issues to Modesto’s leaders. Using the lack of sidewalks in several residential neighborhoods as a starting point, they began to figure out why this problem had not been addressed sooner and how it impacted those that lived in these areas. Debrief founders realized that resident stories paired with data were much more impactful than either could be on their own, leading to the inception of the company. Founded as a business aimed toward bettering the community, Debrief values equity, integrity, loyalty, and quality with a mission to “transform communities by helping organizational leaders make deliberate, substantial, and sustainable improvements for the people they serve.”

     In efforts to support the underserved populations in and around Modesto, Debrief pairs data with lived experience. Debrief attempts to answer complex and often overlooked social questions, such as “What is getting in the way of our community getting ahead?” by using both. Data on its own is great but only tells part of the story, so Debrief helps locals communicate the rest to their local government and businesses. They are able to do this with multi-level community engagement in a variety of methods, such as community meetings, empathy interviews, focus groups, forums, countywide surveys, social media engagement, and more. Once both of the key components are collected, they are able to be interpreted for organizations to make sure that they are truly working for their communities, acknowledging demographics and the issues that affect them. Debrief also offers systems-change facilitation by connecting a diverse group of collaborators together who share the same vision for their communities. This allows organizations to work together alongside those in their target population with lived experience to design the most informed solutions. Debrief is able to collect data from the community and then leverage it in a way that creates positive change throughout the Central Valley. 

    In the past few years, Debrief has partnered with several organizations, businesses, and projects to promote community healing in several ways. The projects they have undertaken have supported Stanislaus County residents with becoming informed on key decisions affecting public infrastructure, economic development, and financial resources. In addition to their engagement services, Debrief holds their In Solidarity group annually, which is aimed at “bringing residents from different races and perspectives to explore how each person can contribute toward creating a connected community.” These group forums are open to all and are intended for deep, meaningful, and safe dialogue with their neighbors to understand each other better and strengthen relationships. To learn more about Debrief and their projects, visit their website linked below!

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: RAINBOW CHORUS

     Though still in their infancy as an organization, Rainbow Chorus is on a mission to create an inclusive community in Modesto. This chorus is not based in religion and aims to provide a welcoming space for queer and transgender folks who are looking to improve their singing abilities and take part in group camaraderie. The chorus is open to all those that identify as LGBTQIA+, and their allies, however, the group is primarily focused on the comfortability and acceptance of their transgender and queer participants.

     Formed in early 2023, Rainbow Chorus has strived to create a safe space for those that want to hone their singing skills. The original idea to create a non-religious choir for queer people came from Holly Grace Currie, but quickly spread to like-minded peers who saw the need and potential for an organization such as this. One of these peers is now the group’s Director, Lisa Battista, who is also an attorney and church pianist for First United Methodist. As Director of Rainbow Chorus, Battista selects choir music, directs rehearsals, and conducts the chorus during performances. The roughly twenty members sing a variety of music, mostly popular hits and those that speak about love and inclusion, including songs from both Lady Gaga and Queen in their repertoire. They recently performed debut cover songs at the second annual “What a Drag” event held at the State Theatre. This event showcased queer performances while fundraising for Rainbow Chorus, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), The GAP, and the Youth Navigation Center. 

     In speaking with board chair, Matthew Mason, it was emphasized how important it is to have these safe community spaces in the Central Valley. The LGBTQIA+ community in Modesto has come a long way in their recognition and tolerance, but still has a long way to go. Groups like Rainbow Chorus allow this population to come together, improve skills, feel included, and build bonds. Mason’s favorite part about the Rainbow Chorus is being surrounded by and engaging in queer art, as well as taking part in the community of like-minded individuals that has emerged. His dream for the organization is to see it grow and become a fully recognized non-profit that operates year-round. He also hopes that Rainbow Chorus serves as an example for the community by embracing the idea that “queer and transgender people should be fully accepted in society as they are.”  

    Rainbow Chorus is always recruiting members and encourages people of all skill levels to apply, as long as they are over eighteen years of age. To apply to the choir and stay updated with their latest events, email Rainbow Chorus at rainbowchorusmodesto@gmail.com or check the link below for their social media accounts!

CREATIVE NATIVE Q & A: SUNN AND MOON STUDIOS

Q: What is your name and hometown?

A: My name is Liliana Perez. I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I moved to the Central Valley 23 years ago and proudly call Modesto home.  

Q: How were you first introduced to art? 

A: My older cousin Irma was the first person who introduced me to art. She loved and appreciated the arts, so there were always books about different mediums and artists around my tias house growing up. Seeing that there were so many different ways to create and be an artist, that stuck with me. I found it romantic and so inspiring.

Q: What is your favorite medium to work with and why?

A: I currently love working with ink pens and alcohol-based markers. I love the structure of the pen's hard lines and the fluidness of the marker. When they come together the lines create a sort of vessel for the vibrant, soft textures of the marker. 

Q: Is creating art your full-time career? If not, is that your goal? 

A: Yes and no. Professionally I am a spirit artist and medium. I don’t like to limit myself to one thing so I wear multiple hats but being an artist remains at the core of my work. Whether it be creating channeled drawings, writings, memes, divination decks, or pieces for exploration and play. Artistic self-expression remains at the center of it.

Q: Where do you find inspiration? Are there artists that inspire you? 

A: Since childhood, I have always felt a deep connection to the natural world, the cosmos, and the spirit realm. Growing up there were times when I felt so alone but I found comfort in the mystical; whether it be through tarot cards, flowers, or the presence of spirits in my tia’s home. As a spirit artist, I delve into the unseen, drawing inspiration from their untold stories. Two artists come to mind, Frida Kahlo and Ana Mendieta. Growing up, Frida Kahlo was a huge inspiration.  For me, she was a figure who embodied authenticity, vulnerability, and courage. Her unapologetic approach to her art and life continues to inspire me to this day. I was first introduced to Ana's work a few years ago by a dear friend.  From that moment, I was captivated by it. The power that emanated from her creations and the comforting presence of her spiritual beliefs woven into her creations made her truly fascinating and memorable. 

Q: Do you have advice for youth that are interested in pursuing a career in the arts but may be anxious to start?

A: It's completely normal to feel anxious, but don't allow it to hold you back. Don't worry about attaining perfection or conforming to a standard. Your vision and self-expression are distinct to you, and they hold significance. Give yourself the freedom to explore your identity as an artist. Experiment with various mediums and let your style and work be what it wants to be. I spent years comparing myself to others, convincing myself that I lacked the ability to be an artist. I feared judgment due to not having pursued formal art education and worried about criticism of my style. Looking back, I wish I hadn't allowed these fears and concerns to hold me back. Ultimately, art is subjective, which is what makes it so captivating. Art possesses immense power. It narrates our tales, empowers the marginalized, motivates, heals, and much more. While the art you create may not resonate with everyone, that's perfectly acceptable. Because the fact is your art will undoubtedly hold meaning for someone, and that alone makes it worth exploring.

Q: What do you believe is the most prominent or most recurring theme in your art? What does this theme mean to you? 

A: Because I work with spirit, I’ve learned over the years how important it is to enjoy this life as much as we can. To not take ourselves too seriously or at least try not to. Because of this, I like to instill a sense of play, wonder, and joy into my work. So even if the subject is something folks may not be comfortable talking about like death, grief or the mystical, I feel my style and intentions frame these subjects in a different light. I think many of us had to or were expected to grow up fast, so I just want to inspire folks to play, and find joy in all things. 

Q: Where can people go to view or purchase your art?

A: Folks can find and/or purchase some of my work at Bruha Studio in Modesto or in my online shop (linked below). They can also get first peeks of new pieces via IG @l.ii.l.ii.a.n.a

Q: Do you have any community events or collaborations coming up that you would like to promote? 

A: My dearest friend Angela, the creatrix behind Bruha Studio, and I are preparing to host a Summer Solstice Event in June. I will dive into the summer’s energetic themes, pull a tarot and oracle card for each guest, while Angela guides the group into creating their intentional Summer Solstice candle.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS