Ongoing Enrollment
About the Program
The Compass program serves as a hub for community wellness resources that hopes to foster a space for interdependent and self-sufficient discovery. At The AjA Project we understand there is a responsibility that comes with the process of healing, this is why we lean on artists and health professionals in our community, to work collaboratively with our staff to build health resources that meet our communities needs. Compass is our first virtual, asynchronous program, which expanded our reach to youth during the global pandemic.
The Compass program will explore basic skill practices and core emotions through art making and self expression by providing Social Emotional Learning and Art Literacy.
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Students who are impacted by the justice system and within the ages of 13-24 years old. More broadly, this program is designed for SDCOE and JCCS Community Schools, justice impacted communities, refugee & immigrant communities, communities of color, and houseless students.
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In-person 10-week course currently serving at Monarch School and 37ECB.
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No participant requirements for this program.
Program Activities
Featured work by Compass zine artists May-ling Martinez, Andrew Alcasid, Alanna Airitam, Zach Fianza and Stacey Uy
What to Expect
The Compass Program has at its core the intention to break away from the commercialized perception of mental health and wellness practices to instead focus on artmaking and the ways in which the creative process aids in the processing of emotions.
We believe that making art can evoke feelings of amazement, safety, and tenderness. Having an artistic practice can fulfill many needs in both our personal and public lives. It can provide connection, reciprocity, meaning, play, understanding, belonging, beauty and inspiration.
There are three key elements to the essence of the Compass Program and the Compass Zine: daydreaming (as an alternative to focus), dynamism (as an alternative to stillness), and intuition (as opposed to judgment).
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We will meet on Fridays once a week starting on March 4th to June 3rd at 37ECB in El Cajon Blvd from 12:50 - 1:55pm. We Also hold a second class at Monarch School once a week on Wednesdays at 10:40 - 11:30 from March 1st - June 1st.
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The AjA Project will provide all equipment and supplies including art materials, cameras, Guest Artist Speakers and/or Fieldtrip transportation access to participate in Compass.
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Each week students will be introduced to a new artist, art technique and create space through art making to hold conversations regarding students' experiences with their well being. Our class themes are: 1) Wellness, 2) Identity & Self-awareness, 3) Joy, Fun and Creativity, 4) Comfort and Familiarity, and 5) Community Focus Collaboration
Topics Covered
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Social Emotional Learning
Learn to understand and ask for what wellness uniquely means to you. Using art practices, we’ll explore what it means to be well.
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![Image of person taking a photo wearing a mask.]()
Photography
Get an in-depth tutorial on photography best practices, techniques and access to AjA’s equipment library.
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![Hands holding a resume]()
Professional Development
Participants will learn from creative mentors doing work in their community.
Meet Your Spring 2022 Teaching Artists
Every Teaching Artist at the AjA Project brings their own creative processes and personal pedagogy to the classroom.
Site Partners
Monarch School, Spring 2022
37ECB, Spring 2022
I’m Still Growing / Todavia Estoy Creciendo
Compass Zine Vol. 2
Full Spanish Version
English-Spanish Hybrid Version
This zine was made possible by our contributing artists May-Ling Martinez, Andrew Alcasid, and Alanna Airitam. It was printed and designed by Zachary Fianza and Stacey Uy, and it was organized by Alejandro Arreguin Villegas and Andrés Hernández.
