Elevating Soulciety

Smoke & Ashes is a tobacco-awareness program that uses the performing arts as an innovative way to educate the youth about the risks of using tobacco. Formerly known as Project 4A Change, Smoke & Ashes has been funded by the American Lung Association, Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition, San Mateo County Human Services Agency AOD TPP, and Diablo Valley Kaiser. Since 2003, it has spread tobacco-awareness to over 20,000 middle school students throughout San Mateo and Alameda Counties. This program fuses Tobacco 101 with dance, poetry and music in a school-wide assembly as a way to creatively deliver the information. It takes breath to sing, recite poetry, break dance, do sports, and to live.

SouLeadership develops youth to become effective leaders amongst their peers and in their community. The youth learn to set and reach goals and benchmarks. They build self-esteem and confidence, develop life skills, understand different forms of communication, create positive habits and attitudes, and discover their passion. They design and implement community service projects that help them to understand the importance of leadership through service. By engaging in a program that helps to define who they are and what they are able to achieve, youth realize their full potential.

The Bridge is a program that enriches the lives of impoverished youth overseas by providing education, resources, and inspiration. We donate much needed materials and technology including computers, books, and school supplies for a more successful education. We provide medical and hygiene supplies and teach health education and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. And we provide free creative arts workshops including breakdancing, hip-hop and poetry to expand the appreciation and knowledge of the arts.

Youth Employment Project provides employment and educational opportunities to underserved youth by providing professional development, life skills training, job placement, and comprehensive support services. Youth are given meaningful jobs that help them to grow personally and to improve their neighborhood. They learn problem solving, confidence, conflict resolution, positive decision-making, and relationship building. They are paid for the work that they accomplish, but more importantly, they learn valuable professional and personal skills that help them throughout their education, career, and life.