Mobilizing individuals & communities across generations through arts, education & advocacy to cultivate agency and disrupt systems of displacement.

The AjA Project provides access to innovative, culturally fluent, high-quality arts programming to youth in the most diverse and historically under-served communities of San Diego. AjA ensures that youth are given the skills and tools needed to use the arts as a vehicle for self-sufficiency. The arts are a powerful medium for personal development, particularly for youth who traditionally have not experienced positive self-expression. The arts are also a strong, proven mechanism to ignite community engagement and social action. AjA’s methodology—participatory photography—allows students to use their images as a platform to safely and effectively discuss their life experiences, goals and ambitions.

We work with youth from a range of socio-cultural, ethnic and geographic backgrounds. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, high school graduation rates in this community is well below the national average; approximately 55% of residents in City Heights do not have a high school diploma. Additionally, 97% of our students qualify for free and reduced-fee lunches. Other challenges facing this community are high rates of homelessness, parental unemployment, academic barriers, and gang violence. AjA believes the key to promoting positive community changes is to invest in young people.