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“True peace is not merely the absence of tension;
it is the presence of justice.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This idea presented by Dr. King plays a large part in the Next Generation Scholars mission. All Next Generation Scholars are selected for their commitment to community. They go far beyond their high school’s required community service hours and truly engage issues of social justice in our communities.
Students start by studying the history of social justice movements in America. Through their study of the civil rights movement, feminist movement, LA walkouts, the gay pride movement, and the fight for Redress, they are able to gain insight into the injustices in our community that directly affect them. Given this historical understanding, they are then able to formulate action plans for social justice projects in their own communities.
Recent Next Generation Scholars community uplift projects are…..
Latino Culture Class
Disappointed their elementary education did not include more than a handout on Cesar Chavez, two Next Generation Scholars created a curriculum, secured classroom space and taught a weekly Latino Culture class. Children of the Canal community enjoyed writing bi-lingual poetry, making piñatas, dancing the bachata, and re-enacting the East LA walkouts.
Mother's Day at Marin Abused Women's Services
Raised by a brave mother who saved him and his siblings from a violent father, a Next Generation Scholar decided to create a proper Mother's Day for the families living in the Marin Abused Women's Shelter. Together with his Next Generation classmates, this young man raised money and created "Mother's Day In a Box." Each box contained the entire makings of a Mother's Day pancake breakfast as well as gifts for all the mothers and a craft box for the children. This craft box enabled each child to create a handmade Mother's Day's card. Sent with theses boxes was a letter of hope written from one of the young Next Generation Scholars, a domestic violence survivor, who organized the project.
The Murrieta Project
 Knowing the great divide between the Haves and the Have-Nots in Marin County, Next Generation Scholars sought out ways they could bridge the gap. One Next Generation Scholar, who attended a local private school on scholarship, noticed the lost and found was constantly overflowing and his school struggled to have students claim their items. At the end of each semester, piles of clothes and backpacks went unclaimed. He and a group of fellow Next Generation Scholars approached several private schools and arranged to collect their unclaimed lost and found items. Together they washed and sorted over 35 loads of lost and found clothing. The final step of the project was to distribute these clean, recycled items to families in need. One of the Next Generation Scholars who led the community outreach part of this project, noted, “I was at the park with my sister and it was amazing to see how many people in the neighborhood we were able to help. I saw all these kids wearing the hoodies we found for them.”
The Holiday Project
Many students remember standing in a line waiting to receive a gift from the Salvation Army. Though they wanted to receive a gift for Christmas, the experience was often humiliating and isolating. Together, seven Next Generation Scholars put together a holiday party that greeted each family, served a hot meal and included games, crafts and gifts for the children.
The following year, a new class of Next Generation Scholars brought new goals for the Holiday Project. This time, they wanted to serve twice as many families, to have all events presented in two languages, and to ensure gifts for the elders in the community.
Every year, the Holiday Project has continued to evolve. Each year, a new class of students puts their own individual spin on the event. Today, the Holiday Project has become the largest completely youth run holiday event in the county serving over 250 people a year.
Improv at the MYC
Angered by the state cuts in arts education, a Next Generation Scholar decided to create a summer class that gave all students access to theater classes. Teaching various acting techniques using multi-cultural plays, she was able to build connections between communities and provide a free arts education to those who had been denied one. Through this class, a student was able to give our community the rich curriculum it had lost.
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