Walk In My Shoes Empowers Youth Leaders

Empowering Youth Leaders
Walk In My Shoes, OC Human Relations’ Annual BRIDGES Youth Conference, brings together students from across Orange County to explore issues of identity and culture, develop leadership skills, and learn from examples of successful youth activism. The goal is to empower and mobilize students to work towards creating positive social change. In keeping with the direction of the BRIDGES Safe & Respectful Schools Program, an emphasis is placed on providing students with workshops that illustrate community organizing and opportunities to get involved in making a difference in their schools, communities, and the world.  This year’s conference theme was: “Healing Our People through Empowerment (H.O.P.E).”

A Look at Walk In My Shoes 2016
The conference was held at California State University, Fullerton and was hosted by Dr. Berenecea J. Eanes, CSUF Vice President of Student Affairs.

The opening ceremony featured a welcome from Dr. Joy Hoffman, Director of Diversity Initiatives and Resource Programs and Alison Edwards, Deputy Director of OC Human Relations, and included a special recognition of the conference’s title sponsor, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, a long-time supporter of Walk In My Shoes.

The session ended with keynote speaker, Gustavo Arellano, editor of OC Weekly, author, essayist, radio and television commentator, and writer of the nationally syndicated column, “¡Ask a Mexican!”. Gustavo inspired students to collaborate and seek out opportunities to engage in social justice activism for social change.

Walk In My Shoes was emceed by members of OC Human Relations’ student internship program, the Human Relations Ambassadors Program (HRAP): Linda Tang (Huntington Beach High School) and Abraham Vicente (Western High School), who emphasized the value of being involved in positive community change and leadership as a young person.

After the opening session, participants were invited to attend over 15 different workshops offered in three successive time slots. The workshops were presented by high school students, college students, university professors and community educators.  One such workshop was presented by Christian Lopez, a college student, writer, public speaker, activist and volunteer board member with OC Human Relations. Christian’s session focused on inclusion and awareness related to people with disabilities and what it takes to move towards a society that is accessible and equal for all people.

After the workshop breakout sessions, students enjoyed lunch and received words of wisdom from the 2016 YouthSpeak Contest Winner, Lucinda Marvel. Followed with an energetic performance by Pita the Prophet, a rapper from Fullerton California, whose music focuses on addressing disparities and advocating for change.

Each student received a free BRIDGES t-shirt, courtesy of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

Community Support
More than 500 students and educators from 19 Orange County high schools attended.
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More than 20 BRIDGES high school and college interns assisted with event setup, registration, emceeing, leading lunch, and hosting and presenting workshops. In addition, Commissioners, Board Members and corporate volunteers from Kia Motors America and Orange County’s Credit Union supported throughout the day.

Valued Partnerships
Generous funding for Walk In My Shoes was provided by donations from: Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Dr. Greg McQuater, Commissioner Bang Van Pham and our host, California State University, Fullerton, Office of the Vice President, Student Affairs.

Participant’s Reactions to Walk In My Shoes
-“I greatly enjoyed this year’s Walk in My Shoes!”
-“It has been awesome, I’m so glad that I got the chance to come to this conference!”
-“The program was great and I learned so much in the workshops.”
- “I like how everybody can know how each other feels, how they can feel and what makes them different.”
- “Better every year! Keep it up and keep it going!” – Teacher
- “Insightful, enlightening, and empowering with very amazing workshops! I wish I could have attended them all.”
- “I enjoyed learning and being able to see up front people talk about issues in our community today.
- “I learned so much on what I can do for the world, my community and for myself.”
- “Gustavo’s speech touched my heart and mind.”
- “I had a lot of fun meeting new people and learning more about stereotypes, abuse, and social issues.”

Click here to learn more about Walk In My Shoes and the BRIDGES Program.