Teaching Artist Asa Mendelsohn teamed up with Mr. Nick Deming and Ms. Julia Joseph and the ICHS 11th graders to investigate the issue of gun violence. How does gun violence impact the Bronx? Where do guns come from? How can our community prevent violence, reduce harm, and promote safety for everyone? Throughout November, the group used documentary filmmaking to talk to community members and interview stakeholders from the Bronx Community Justice Center, S.O.S. Bronx, the Mayor’s Office for Criminal Justice, and a former NYPD detective.

CUP’s Youth Education Program Manager, Fielding Hong, teamed up with Ms. Akilah Clarke and the ICHS seniors to investigate New York City’s foster care system. How does the foster care system impact youth and families? What are youth and family rights in the foster care system? How can we better support impacted families? The group created collaborative poems, made collage posters, talked to community members and interviewed stakeholders from JCCA, JMacForFamilies, and the school community. The group is teaming up with CUP’s Fellow for Change in Design, Marisa Hetzler, to design a booklet to teach others about the issue.

Stay tuned for information about the debut of their final products!