Category: Youth

Proposals aimed at tying funding to students who fast track their way through California's community colleges could deny access to those in need.

Budget cuts have forced Gardener Academy in West San Jose to utilize a cost saving mechanism which combines classes from different grades. Educators say the students are the ones paying the price.

"Dreamers Adrift" comes out with episodes of everyday awkward situations that undocumented folks go through everyday. Yosimar Reyes plays in this episode of when dating goes wrong because of being undocumented.

Jean Melesaine reviews the film "Pariah" directed by Dee Rees. The film is based on a Brooklyn teenager who juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.

California Governor Jerry Brown has until Oct. 9 to sign legislation which would give the state’s 41,000 undocumented students access to Cal Grants, UC grants and other state-funded scholarships for college education.

Block2Block Radio host David Madrid talks with Mario Ozuna-Sanchez of the National Compadres Network about the mental health and healing needs of men & boys in our communities.

When "Edward" needs cash fast he relies on the one thing he has complete control over: his body.

This exhibition showcased photos taken from cameras from the 50’s and 60’s allowing film photography to be showcased as an art form. Take a look.

Being diagnosed with asthma has not stopped this young runner from attempting the ultimate endurance race.

Daniel Zapien reflects on his relationship to school -- sometimes exciting, sometimes demoralizing. This video was done as part of a media package in partnership with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

This summer, De-Bug and the San Jose Downtown Association teamed up to provide activities for youth at the weekly concerts. The collaboration was a tremendous success, but still the historic event may be coming to a close.

A recent study found that 93% of therapists are seeing more students coming to college already on psychiatric medication.

In the heart of Japantown, artist Samuel Rodriguez held his first solo show at Cukui. The following timelapse video captures the creative production process, as well as the diverse community who came to the showing.

While California’s economic environment has hit summer programs hard, school districts came up with ways to offer summer classes for struggling students.

Artists Adrian Avila and Samuel Rodriguez teamed up with the Gardener community to produce the Inspire mural. This video shares the day by day evolution of Inspire.

A week after Kenneth Harding was killed during an altercation with San Francisco police officers on a light rail train, his mother Denika Chatman talked with San Francisco BayView reporter Natasha Reid.

Silicon Valley De-Bug interviewed Bayview youth/community and young people on their thoughts and feelings on the shooting in BayView Hunters Point of the 19-year-old.

San Jose Poet/Artist/Activist Yosimar Reyes premieres his new segment of "Queer Conversations" with lgbtq folks from San Jose and the greater Bay Area. In this episode, he sits down with 16-year-old Vanessa to talk about coming out, identity, and what the terms "jump off" and "homie hopper" means.

U.S. schools lost 20,000 students this year to the fields — many of them child workers who suffer injury or death.

Community based artists, Adrian Avila and Samuel Rodriguez, teamed up to bring inspiration in an artistic form to neighborhoods throughout San Jose. Their first mural went up at the Gardner Market on Virginia and Delmas in West San José.

Looking for a South Asian-themed summer camp? Go no further. Check this list by India Currents...

From an orphanage in India to a Mount Madonna School in Watsonville, Soma Sharan has defied all odds. She now has been given the unique honor of being named a Gates Millennium Scholar.

The annual free concert event series is back in full swing in San Jose, and now De-Bug is bringing live art, silk-screening, and other activities to supplement the events.

Demetrius Campbell, also known as Yung Ghost, tragically lost his life at the age of twenty on May 4, 2011. Friends and family remember him as a unique talent, loyal friend and a man of integrity.

Local, Grammy Award winning music group teams up with the Mexican Heritage Corporation to throw a benefit concert for San Jose schools.

During a week of violence in San Jose a loved member of the community, just 18 years old, was stabbed to death and A-town in San Jose is left with a greater police presence.

On Block to Block Radio, Eastridge Little League President Jerry Soriano and Treasure Tony Ortega talk about how working class families in East San Jose came together to provide activities for youth through a community spirit.

Two bills introduced by Republicans last week would repeal a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and could hurt millions.

Block2Block Radio talks with Alo Kofeloa whose 8-year-old son Tevita (Vita) was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia, a bone marrow failure disease where the body can not produce enough blood cells to fight off infections and stop severe bleeding.

High school student body presidents in the Bay Area say budget cutbacks are damaging their shot at a college education.

Yosimar Reyes is a Two-Spirit Poet/Activist from Guerrero, Mexico with "a brave and vulnerable voice that shines light on the issues affecting queer, immigrant youth and the many disenfranchised communities in the U.S. and throughout the world."

For the past several months, legislators and anti-immigrant advocates have been pushing for changes in the Constitution to take away citizenship rights to those born in the United States.

Author Jean Melesaine reflects on how preconceived notions of size and physicality impact her two younger brothers and a generation of Polynesian young men.

San Jose Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen talks to David Madrid on Block to Block Radio about Operation Prom Dress, her program to help high school girls. Learn more and hear how you can contribute.

In a unique bridge building effort that rose above prison walls, Abe Menor, through the efforts of United Playaz, facilitated a writing project where the women from Chowchilla Prison wrote letters to San Jose youth about their lives, prison, and their hopes for the community.

Latinos and Asians accounted for most of the state's growth over the last decade, while the proportion of whites and African Americans declined.

"All the Ladies Say" is a film that profiles female street dancers who have carved a niche in the physically challenging, male-dominated breakdance world. One of the featured dancers is Aiko Shirakawa, who held the film's South Bay debut at the De-Bug Center.

T-shirt designers, jewelry-makers, and an assortment of other creative vendors created their own pop-up market in downtown San Jose – giving the community a chance to come together and shop local.

The early months of 2011 have already registered 11 homicides in East San Jose. Young men of color have been both victims and perpetrators of the attacks. De-Bug gathered young men from the Eastside to talk about what they are seeing on the streets, and what can be done to stop the violence.

Read the digital version of De-Bug's print magazine. Entitled "Under the Skin of San Jose," this issue features articles from downtown hustlers, homeless youth and a new generation of cultural entrepreneurs.

In Santa Clara County's 2009 graduating class, one out of every six students dropped out. That was the same year one De-Bug writer dropped out. This year, he dropped back in.

More young people are putting their education on hold, amid a tough economy and deep cuts in the last few years to education funding.

San Jose has already registered seven homicides in 2011, nearly matching half of the total killings from the previous year. The victims are often young and brown. Marcos Reyes, who lives in the same neighborhoods where sidewalk memorials are springing up, describes what it feels like to be a part of a community in peril.

Music entrepreneur Playa Rae has been a driving force for local artists to be heard and to gain attention in larger markets beyond San Jose.

For the first time in history, every child in California is now eligible for health insurance coverage. But it’s up to parents to take advantage of these opportunities to get better care and coverage for children, and more economic security for their families.

Cannery Park, located near Japantown, has emerged as a hub for a generation of new, innovative cultural business owners. De-Bug attended a collective showing to discuss their local businesses.

As 2010 winds down, we asked members of De-Bug to reflect on their most memorable moments of 2010. Through writing and video, they share the moments that defined their year.

Students enrolled in Latino College Preparatory's drama program are getting a lesson in culture and self-esteem while they perform in the modern adaption of a five-century-old Mexican play.

With young people desperate for jobs, many have fallen victim to job scams – seemingly great employment opportunities that turn out to be hustles. De-Bug writers share experiences of getting jobs that were, in fact, too good to be true.

National Hispanic University honors select group of inspiring students.

With the county in a recession, it is those who are often heard the least from — youth and elders — who are baring the brunt of a deep economic crisis. The moment of dwindling resources though may by an opportunity for a now veteran youth movement to lead, not just for other youth, but for all generations.

An undocumented immigrant writes, "The way I look at it , I don’t need the DREAM Act for me to live my American dream. I will always be a dreamer, no matter what."

When Juan Gonzalez went looking for his friend online, he learned some tragic news. Gonzalez's friend had died, and the social network site which once had been a platform to communicate to him, had now become a place to honor his memory.

Salman Khan started his online "Khan Academy" to help a young cousin learn math. Now his online YouTube math, science as well as history and economics videos have garnered 22 millions views worldwide.

Growing up as an immigrant Socorro Castaneda-Liles was told she would never go far. Thanks to a benefactor and an education at Santa Clara University she now teaches and dedicates her time providing scholarship opportunities for Latino students from working-class families.

A young Indian student takes pride in living up to the stereotype... of being different.

On the heels of a Congressional vote on the Dream Act, a bill that would offer a path to legalization for some immigrant youth, one San Jose writer shares his story of being undocumented and American.

When a teenager came to the US as a refugee from Mexico, he landed in Santa Clara County in need of assistance. A Catholic Charities program was there to connect him with a family and community that welcomed him.

The alcoholic energy drink Four Loko has generated national controversy after a repudiation from the FDA and has been banned in several states. Critics say the drink targets underage youth and offers a dangerous mix of caffeine and potent amount of alcohol. In this article, San Jose youth give their opinion on the drink that has been called "blackout in a can."

Vinh Pham, father of Daniel Pham, who was shot to death by police last year, shares his hopes for the future in police/community relations. The Coalition for Justice and Accountability (CJA) has initiated this multimedia project featuring San Jose residents' experiences to inform the police chief selection process.

Bay Area non-profit AchieveKids uses drama to teach special needs kids social skills.

This October the Coalition for Justice and Accountability began a forum series to bring input from impacted communities to the selection process for the next San Jose Police Chief. The following multi-media coverage is highlights from the Youth and Families Forum held at De-Bug.

Despite the multi-ethnic demographics of the city, San Jose's gay community seems divided among lines of race. One young commentator compares the San Jose gay scene compared to the rest of the Bay Area.

With employment prospects looking grim, some have turned to alternative means to earn income. One young commentator writes about the craft of "scrapping" which allows her to pull in a great income — that is if she doesn't get caught.

When one new educator started volunteering at a homework center at Willow Glen library, she saw students grow in confidence and skills in the classroom. This year's budget cuts has eliminated after-school programs like hers, and she writes, the damage may cost more than we can account for.

A new piece of California legislation may offer support for families to care for loved ones. If passed, the bill could mean American-Indian families staying together, rather then sending youth into foster care, writes commentator Jessica LePak.

This September, San Jose was a city-wide platform for this year's Zero 01 Biennial -- a four day event of art, performance and innovation.

SB 1381 would change the kindergarten entry date in California, so that only 5-year-olds could enroll, while creating a pre-K program to better prepare younger kids.

Not all addictions get the same amount of attention, yet can still cause equally devastating impacts on families. One young author writes about how gambling addiction wreaked havoc on her family, and how she noticed similar struggles in other Vietnamese households.

Block2Block Radio host David Madrid talks with Bernie Kotlier, an East Side San Jose parent and Co-Chair of the Community Association for Supporting Summit High School. Summit High is an acclaimed college preparatory charter school from Redwood City that is proposing to open up two sites in East San Jose.

With youth unemployment reaching an astounding high, one commentator talks about the feeling of being reborn through finally finding the ever elusive job.

Arizona's anti-immigrant laws have brought the border debate to campuses across the country. At Stanford University, students are connecting with workers who maintain the campus to talk through a just vision for immigration reform.

When Ray Nelson went looking for guitars, he also found also a way to serve the community and provide opportunity for youth in the form of music.

The 5th Frida Kahlo Fundraiser, organized by Cihuatl Tlatocan and Maíz at the Washington United Youth Center, celebrated the famed artist's legacy and gave local artists and Frida fans a way to get in touch with an important part of their cultural heritage while raising money for the community.

Artist Huong Nguyen was born and raised in San Jose. Her life and art has fused her Vietnamese culture with her American context. In her gallery, she displays the mixing of form, history and identity.

Supporters of gay marriage celebrated the recent decision by Judge Walker last week to overturn Prop.8. Commentator Jean Melesaine says the issue is not just marriage, but rather an issue of equality and civil rights.

Soccer stars from Tottenham Hotspurs and San Jose Earthquakes mix it up with kids at two Kidango elementary schools in Eastside San Jose.

10-year-old Krish Avvari, who trains at the India Community Center facilities in Milpitas, is a national champion for table tennis players twelve-years-old and younger. He says his favorite aspect of the game is striving to be a "good sport."

The theme of this year's annual Queer Prom held by the Billy DeFrank Center was "The Gender Bender Ball." Silicon Valley De-Bug writer Kaisha Covington reports on the event and her own experiences going to dances as a gay teen.

Ishan Shah is the youngest candidate ever to run for Fremont City Council. Still a high school student, Shah hopes to inspire a new generation of civic engagement with his political campaign.

Future generations will know the cultural and political moment of San Jose through the lens of photographer, Abraham Menor. Having had a wide array of influences from Filipino Veterans organizing to San Jose's graffiti artists, Menor is a documentarian for communities who otherwise would go unseen.

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the fasting growing sports in the country. At the Washington Youth Center in West San Jose, the Norcal Fight Factory has used the sport's appeal as a way to offer at risk youth another choice beyond gangs and the streets.

A not-guilty verdict in the Johannes Merhserle case involving the killing of Oscar Grant by the former BART cop will likely trigger a reponse from youth of color. Commentator Demone Carter explains the combustible context that surrounds the jurors' decision in Los Angeles.

When 19-year-old Steven Powell was shot and killed at the Pink Party in San Francisco during the Gay Pride festivities, there were some unexpected reactions. Commentator Jean Melesaine, who saw a fallen Powell at the event, says the response by some in the gay community reveal underlying tensions around race and class.

Young artists collective livens up San Jose with alternative, indie Latin American music.

They say patriotism has its price, and this Fourth of July weekend, that's exactly what the entrepreneurial Shorty Fatz is counting on.

The organizers of Bike Party tell us, "Everything looks better from the seat of a bike." And that includes the streets of San Jose. The following De-Bug video and writing give a window into the South Bay's new two-wheeled revolution called San Jose Bike Party.

The CORAL program, a project of Catholic Charities, supports the educational needs of youth with learning disabilities through personalized attention and innovative teaching techniques.

Youth of color from the ages of 16 to 24 are one of the hardest to count populations for the Census. De-Bug asked minority youth from high schools to write a letter to their parents as to why it is important to participate in the Census. The following are excerpts of the campaign, accompanied by video coverage of a youth concert by Voto Latino promoting the Census.

National Hispanic University, located in east San Jose, recently celebrated its 25th commencement ceremony. More than 150 students obtained their degrees in the institution that is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for San Jose's Latino community.

This year's Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held at the San Jose Convention Center attracted over 1,500 brilliant young minds.

One of the most comprehensive community service hubs in San Jose, the Mayfair Community Center has been changing lives for years. They share their latest programs and perspectives on the biggest issues today's youth face.

On the second Saturday of every month, a librarian at the Martin Luther King Library conducts a story time conducted in various Indian languages. The class has drawn youth from different San Jose ethnicities as well.

Block to Block radio host David Madrid chops it up with Reymundo Armendariz of Public Allies, an organization that trains up the next generation of community leaders. Tune in and learn how to get involved.

Of the 1,600 children currently living with foster families, 56% are Latino and 14% Afro-American. There is a strong need for foster parents for children of these ethnic groups.

After sending out resumes and looking for work with no success, a 21-year-old Somali American living in San Jose, Calif. decided to become a rickshaw driver.

This short documentary is on popsicle vendors, the people you see pushing carts from sun up to sun down.

I don't blame the paper for leaving out the remarkable life of Albert in their report, they just didn't know. What was news worthy was Albert's numerical value — the first homicide of the year in San Jose.

In indigenous Nahuatl language in Mexico, "cochitlehua-li" means "dream." It's also the name of a San Jose group ran by Latino youth to advocate for the "DREAM Act", or the AB 540, a California law which provides a path of higher education to undocumented immigrant students.

Sitting on two wheels has never looked so good. Shorty Fatz, a San Jose-based design and manufacturing company owned by two young entrepreneurs, has evolved into the creator of some of the most innovative and sought-after low-rider bicycle frames in the industry.

The following is five young adults from San Jose chronicling what they ate and drank for two days, from the time they got up to the time they went to sleep. All five have different backgrounds, jobs, living situations, and consequently -- dietary habits.