Wards of the State: Who Gets to be Kids? The Silenced Stories of Our Youth.

Wards of the State: Who gets to be kids? 

The Silenced Stories of Our Youth Art Exhibit 

#TruthofOurYouth #WhoGetsToBeKids #AllYouthAreSacred

About Exhibit:

Join youth leaders from the All Youth Are Sacred Initiative cohosted by the Inland and Desert Region Youth coalition (IDRYC) for an afternoon of art, history, and justice work. This photography art exhibit has been hosted in Sacramento, Fresno, and Salinas.

During the art exhibit you will experience archived photography that captures the 132 year history of California’s statewide youth prison system, previously known as the California Youth Authority (CYA)  and California’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The photography encapsulates the inhumane conditions which led to 2023’s closure of DJJ. Despite its closure, local counties are experiencing a ripple effect that is negatively impacting marginalized youth and their families. We seek to dismantle the root from which youth were labeled as "wards" and deprived of their humanity.

It is our hope that this exhibit sheds light on a dark part of California history, while lifting up what we hope to see for the future of juvenile justice. 

This exhibit shines a light on the opportunities within communities to shift away from youth incarceration, unleash youth power, and create spaces youth are embraced as sacred individuals. Special thanks to the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice for archiving the powerful history depicted.

Art and live performances will be available.  Food and drinks will be provided.

For questions and inquiries please contact us at admin@allyoutharesacred

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