"How I See It" Programs

• Youth Digital Filmmakers, a grant program for projects that engage California youth in creating short films about how they see California.
  
  
• My Place Teens in California libraries to explore meaning of “place” through photography and writing and share their work in public programs
  
  
• We Are California: Stories of Immigration and Change, a new website about the history of California immigration and migration.

What’s the idea behind “How I See It”?

The population of California is growing increasingly younger, with more than a quarter of its residents under the age of 21. Among California’s immigrant population, roughly half are young people. Today's youth face unique challenges, and particularly need programs that help them develop basic skills and attitudes to help them become successful adults. Adults need better insight into the lives of youth, so that they can make informed decisions about issues affecting youth and the state’s future.

How is “How I See It” connected to California Stories?

“How I See It” is the third major campaign of California Stories, the Council’s multiyear initiative designed to strengthen communities through the sharing of stories. California stories began in 2002 with “Reading The Grapes of Wrath,” a statewide reading and story-sharing program that brought together tens of thousands of Californians in hundreds of venues across the state to read Steinbeck’s great classic and discuss their own California experiences.

In 2004-2005, the Council’s “California Stories Uncovered” campaign asked people across the state to tell and listen to stories that reveal the truth beneath the headlines, statistics and stereotypes about the state and its people. Schools, libraries, community centers and more held a variety of programs for the public, from youth-created exhibits and oral history activities to California author events, and reading and discussion groups.

“Unlike the last two campaigns, ‘How I See It’ is focusing on the experiences and perspectives of young people,” said CCH Executive Director Jim Quay, “We want to give young people the opportunity to directly tell their peers — and the rest of us —about the issues shaping their lives and start an intergenerational dialogue about our common future.”

“California Stories: How I See It” is a new statewide campaign of the California Council for the Humanities that will enable young people to share — in their own words and through a variety of media — what their lives are like, what they care about, and what it’s like to grow up in today’s California. “How I See It” is the third major campaign of the Council’s ongoing California Stories initiative, which began in 2002.

Through “How I See It,” youth will have an opportunity to explore community and personal issues and present their thoughts, ideas and discoveries to the public. In the process, young people will gain new skills, perspectives and insights to help them succeed in their lives. The general public, including today’s adult decision-makers, will have an opportunity to find out what youth are thinking — and about the challenges they’re facing — through a wide variety of project events, broadcasts and web-based programs.