Youth Mental Health Nonprofit Seeks Volunteer Judges for Film and Art Contests

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Youth Creating Change believes in the true power of young people. Combining arts-based curricula and a commitment to youth empowerment, our programs facilitate healing and belonging through creative expression, encourage help-seeking, equip youth to support their peers, and reduce stigma to normalize important conversations around suicide prevention and mental health. In pursuing our mission of youth-empowerment around mental health, we also seek to remind our participants that their experiences and feelings matter by allowing them to safely process emotions around current events and elevating voices that speak up for change. Youth that participate in our contests don’t just learn about mental health and suicide prevention - they also collaborate with peers, share their unique perspectives, and create films and art that reduce stigma and show those who are struggling that they aren’t alone. In doing so, these youth also learn first-hand how impactful their voices and their stories can be in shaping narratives around these topics; supporting inclusive communities where others feel seen, heard, and safe opening up to others; and providing much-needed sources of hope in these uncertain times.

For our signature program, The Directing Change Film Contest, volunteer judges evaluate youth-created submissions on suicide prevention, mental health, and social justice each March. Participation in the program prepares youth to recognize signs of distress and seek help for themselves or a friend while inviting them to share their own unique message about suicide prevention and mental health with their peers. PSAs created for the contest are also used to raise awareness as part of media campaigns and outreach across California.

All Youth Creating Change judging is completed remotely online and allows judges to participate flexibly at the time that works best for them. While the exact time required to evaluate submissions varies throughout the year, most judging periods require a time commitment of approximately 2 hours or less (not including a short orientation presentation which we also share with judges each spring).

To join our list of Directing Change judges, please submit our brief judge sign-up form. Once our form is reviewed and approved by our team, you will be added to our volunteer outreach list to receive communications about upcoming judging opportunities. Forms are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, and you will receive a confirmation email with additional details once your form has been processed (depending on staff availability, this process may take several weeks).

If you would also like to judge for our Hope & Justice Film and Art Contests, please email dori@youthcreatingchange.org to confirm your participation. For Hope & Justice, judging occurs intermittently throughout the school year (typically the second week of each month). Youth across the state are invited to express their thoughts and feelings around critical mental health topics, as well as social justice and current events through the creation of visual art, written works, short films, audio PSAs, original music, and more. Participants can submit entries to the theme of "Hope," "Justice," or in response to an educational monthly prompt centered on mental health, healthy coping mechanisms, and available support resources.

Those interested are also welcome to reach out to dori@youthcreatingchange.org with any questions about our programs and/or serving as a volunteer judge for our contests.

Relevant Links -

Judge Sign-Up Form: https://youthcreatingchange.org/become-a-judge/

Youth Creating Change Website: https://youthcreatingchange.org/

Directing Change Contest Site: https://directingchangeca.org/

Hope & Justice Contest Site: https://hopeandjustice.art/