05/29/2026
On Tuesday, May 19, thirteen middle-school youth engaged in the Youth for Justice Project (YJP) afterschool program unveiled their mural, entitled “Time to Take Action.” The mural was made possible through a collaboration between SCU’s Environmental Justice Initiative and .
Over the past academic year, youth learned various art techniques and skills under the guidance of local muralists and art-educators, Jessica Carmen and Augie WK, affiliated with and JAMS. In addition to engaging in and applying these skills in their creative projects, youth learned how to conduct social science research under the guidance of Dr. Jesica S. Fernández and undergraduate student researchers Ashley Orozco-Plata, Linda Soto and Milagros Cruz-Jimenez.
Featuring youth advocacy on environmental justice topics – from labor and immigrant rights to economic equity and gender inclusivity – the mural captures young people’s interests, and visions of communities coming together to create social change. Youth selected their topics after reflecting upon their lives, community and family environments, as well as pressing sociopolitical issues impacting them. Capturing their visions for a world where justice, peace and wellbeing is possible, the mural reflects the necessity to “take action” – and that there is no better time than now.
The mural will be on display at , located in the Guadalupe-Washington neighborhood, where the YJP program has served youth since 2021.
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