Breaking Barriers is an annual event led by the teens in the ESB-MACC's Caminos Teen Leadership Program. It is a safe pace to "break barriers" in mental health stigmas for teens and find connection with one another!
Find this year's event info below!
Photographed by Ulises Garcia Vela
Not only was this free fun event made for the youth, but it was planned by Caminos and aided by supporters of mental health as a Breaking Barriers event should. We couldn't be more proud of the effort shown on this day.
This process was nothing short of exhilarating and full of excitement. So thankful to have special guest Saul Paul with his interactive performance. Overall great collaboration with the SaulPaul Foundation and the AARC. But we can't forget the insightful vision boarding workshop, our own Fashion Competition, Button making, jewelry crafts, watercolor paining, and treats and snacks galore. Truly, prioritizing mental health has never felt as easy.
Photographed by Ulises Garcia Vela
A free event dedicated to our young people where our Caminantes, young community artists and cultural activists facilitated an exploration of the powerful idea of Breaking Barriers. What does that mean to our youth? How can we take care of our mental health and heal from past trauma?
This year - we used art, community, reflection, mindfulness, poetry, & indigenous healing practices to break down barriers!
A day filled with art, music, and community dedicated to youth while we explore and embody mental wellness practices facilitated by the teens of the ESB-MACC Caminos Teen Leadership program. Teens collaborated with emerging artists, mental health professionals and cultural activists to explore self-expression around the theme of Breaking Barriers.
Back at the MACC after lockdown was lifted - Caminos had the opportunity to go all out with the conference! Break out activities, goody bags, ancestral healing sessions and guest speakers galore!
This year's meeting was done fully virtual! A 2-hour zoom meeting, with activities paprticipants were able to participate in from their own home using goodie-bags provided from the MACC the week prior. We also had a virtual concert from the Tiarras (@thetiarrasofficial) to close it out!
The 2020 Breaking Barriers Conference took place in Late-February / Early-March, before the pandemic really took it's toll in the U.S. Breaking Barriers was Caminos' last hurrah at the MACC for a year - it was a sad but fun goodbye!
2019's Conference was the first of many and had loads of activities surrounding mental wellness - as do all Breaking Barriers events. This year especially, the attendees got the chance to participate in a mosaic mural the Caminantes were working on with J Muzacz that is set to be displayed at the New and Improved MACC!
