H.E.A.R. ME OUT - THE OLYMPIAN’S WAY H.E.A.R. STANDS FOR HEAL EMPOWER AWAKEN RISE

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Long Beach South Bay Gateway Cities San Fernando Valley San Gabriel Valley West LA South LA East LA Central LA Antelope Valley

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Many youth in underserved LA communities lack safe, creative outlets and opportunities to develop emotional literacy, confidence, and effective communication skills. Without these, unresolved emotions often manifest as low self-esteem, behavioral challenges, or disengagement at school and home. Traditional education models rarely center creative self-expression or emotional intelligence, leaving youth without the tools to process life’s challenges in healthy, empowering ways. This gap hinders academic, social, and personal growth. Hear Me Out addresses this by providing a supportive space for youth to explore identity, heal, and rise through expressive arts and emotional literacy.

Hear Me Out is a 10-week creative empowerment workshop for youth ages 12–18 in South LA, Inglewood, Compton, and Watts. Each weekly session blends personal development and emotional literacy themes—like self-awareness, empathy, and communication—with expressive arts: poetry, drama, music, and public speaking. Professional teaching artists and emotional wellness facilitators guide youth in using performance and storytelling to process emotions, build confidence, and find their voice. Sessions are trauma-informed and inclusive, ensuring every participant feels seen and valued. Youth receive workbooks, creative materials, and healthy snacks, with transportation support to reduce barriers. The program culminates in a community showcase where youth share their work with families and local leaders, fostering pride and connection. By centering creativity and emotional growth, Hear Me Out helps youth transform silence into self-expression and equips them with lifelong tools for resilience and leadership.

If Hear Me Out is successful, more youth in LA County will walk through life with confidence, emotional resilience, and purpose. Schools will benefit from students who are more self-regulated and communicative. Families and communities will experience deeper connection as youth gain tools to express themselves rather than act out. The program will serve as a model for culturally responsive, creative youth development—reducing violence, boosting academic engagement, and building a new generation of emotionally intelligent leaders. With scale, these impacts will ripple across neighborhoods, schools, and future generations.