The Sons and Brothers Summer Camp and the Sisterhood Rising Leadership Retreat take place at the end of July and serve as spaces where youth of color can experience healing, meaningful growth, transformation, and empowerment as they develop into the next generation of young leaders. The camps are inclusive of youth who are gender non-binary.

Click here for more information and to apply to Sisterhood Rising Leadership Retreat. 

Click here for more information and to apply to Sons and Brothers Camp.

Victor Liera, who attended last year's camp, explained that for many of youth, like himself, the camps provide a supportive environment to learn and bring new knowledge back home. “Growing up, I didn’t have any support from my dad or other men in my family because I didn’t grow up with them, they were all gone,” said Victor, thinking back to his childhood.

A network of organizations come together with the support of The California Endowment to create the curriculum and offer the camps to youth of color affiliated with Building Healthy Communities.

Having attended previous Sisterhood Rising Leadership Retreats, Halima Musa will attend this year's retreat as a mentor to other young women. Halima explained that the focus of the camp is to empower young women, to encourage self-care, and to create a supportive sisterhood

"My favorite part are the team-building exercises, like the ziplining and the activity where we break a piece of wood. The retreat is important because we are able to focus on what it means to be women and connecting with each other on a deeper level. The camp helps us grow, if I hadn't gone, I wouldn't be as open as I am now," said Halima looking forward to attending this year's retreat.

We are currently recruiting young men ages 15 - 19 youth who City Heights residents and/or are involved in City Heights Building Healthy Communities for the Youth Summer Leadership Camps.