Photo courtesy of Outsiders Nation
Outsiders Nation transforms communities through the arts
Outsiders Nation is an organization that collaborates with incarcerated youth and low-income families to fortify the community. They provide valuable resources for education, mentorship, training and skill development. Thanks to a generous $255,000 grant from the KDACC, Outsiders Nation has been advancing social justice, inspiring community engagement and mobilizing their outdoor education programs. The organization offers mobile classrooms where students partake in lessons and/or training with instructors on a weekly basis.
Outsiders’ mobile classes are carefully crafted to be accessible and are tailored to meet the specific needs of the participants. By establishing mobile classrooms in easily reachable locations, such as community centers, parks or outdoor spaces, Outsiders Nation ensures that the classes are convenient and inclusive for all participants. The classes foster relationship building, encourage collaboration and strengthen social bonds within the community. Through art exhibitions, music sessions and community workshops, Outsiders Nation aids struggling communities to find their voices and express themselves.
Photos courtesy of Outsiders Nation
Seth Johnson and Rossie Ansolabehere from Outsiders Nation reflected on the ways art has changed the lives of the incarcerated youth they work with. The students in the juvenile detention centers look forward to each art class, and Seth explained that some individuals received shortened sentences due to improved behavior.
“It’s transformative to give someone the ability to express themselves through art. It allows these students to release feelings they’ve been keeping inside,” Rossie said.
The team teaches various art forms, including painting and film, allowing each student to tell their stories through their preferred medium. Without the KDACC grant and Outsiders Nation’s work, the students in the juvenile detention centers would not have access to art in their education curriculum.
Photos courtesy of Outsiders Nation.
In April, the Kern County Probation Department awarded Outsiders Nation with the “Organization of the Year” award to recognize its continued commitment to supporting at-risk youth and dedication to serving the community.
At its core, Outsiders Nation strives to address pressing social issues facing Kern County, including poverty, inequality and limited access to resources and opportunities. Through artistic expression, advocacy and grassroots organizing, Outsiders Nation elevates marginalized voices, fosters community cohesion and catalyzes positive change.
To learn more, visit https://www.outsidersnation.org/.
About the Organization: Outsiders Nation
Outsiders Nation supports low-income neighborhoods and incarcerated youth by offering mobile classrooms where students partake in lessons with instructors on a weekly basis. Their main goal is to mentor and guide younger generations by providing various activities that let them express their individuality.
