AACI YTI promotes healthy living, substance use education prevention, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, social emotional learning, and self-advocacy by providing youth FREE arts and multi-media education. Programs are designed for Santa Clara county youth and young adults ages 8-24 unless stated otherwise.
GUA Art, Essay, & Video Contest
Submissions open through March 15th
Click on link to learn more about the theme: Facing My Fears
Hosted by AACI and in partnership with NBC Bay Area, Growing Up in America (GUA) is an annual art, essay and video contest that engages hundreds of Bay Area kindergarten through 12th grade students from nine counties. Founded by Lance Lew of NBC Bay Area, GUA offers a unique platform for young people to creatively explore and celebrate their cultural identity through the lens of civic engagement. TEN student winners are selected for a cash award and a chance to appear on NBC Bay Area!
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Open to Bay Area youth grades K-12.​
SLAM STUDENT FAIR
Saturday, March 22, 2025
1:00 - 4:00 PM​
AACI Youth Programs presents the 2025 SLAM (Sports Leadership Arts & Media) Student Resource Fair taking place at East Valley Family YMCA. A limited number of FREE Boba & Churros are included in the entry along with chances to win raffle prizes throughout the day! Learn about local community resources that will benefit your teens and family members while immersing yourself in fun activities
This event is recommended for teens ages 12-18, but families are welcome to join if they have a teen within the age range of 12-18.
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Women's History Month Art Activity
Monday, March 24, 2025
5:00 - 6:300 PM​
Learn about female empowerment through drawing and creative writing. In honor of Women’s History Month, create a “Barbie” role model figure you can look up to or hope to become. Open to all genders!
Open to Santa Clara County youth ages 12-17.
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Watercolor Paint Night
Monday, April 21, 2025
6:00 - 7:300 PM​
Roll up your sleeves, and get immersed in this fun painting session for all levels of painters. Paint along with a professional artist in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. We will explore watercolor techniques such as blending, wet on wet, masking, salting and pen & ink. In the end, you will be proud to show your original newly minted pieces of artwork!
Open to Santa Clara County youth ages 12-17.
YTI offers free trainings in the topics of social emotional learning, life skills, mental health, and suicide prevention to teens & adults.
Botvin Life Skills Training
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Transitions Training for ages 16+
6 sessions long, 1 hour each session
Designed to provide skills to those facing new roles & responsibilities that come with the transition from high school into the workforce and further education. Students will learn:
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Goal-Setting
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Effective Communication
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Managing Stress
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Decision-Making & Risk
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Managing Time & Money
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Building Relationships
Be Sensitive, Be Brave
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Mental Health Training for teens and adults
1 hour and 30 minutes long
"Be Sensitive, Be Brave for Mental Health" infuses culture and diversity throughout a foundational workshop on mental health. This free workshop prepares community members to help friends and loved ones during times of distress. Learn how to recognize mental health conditions, what to do when someone needs support, and tools for maintaining good mental health.
Community members will learn how to:
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Identify if someone is in mental distress
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Practice being sensitive and brave in helping others
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Increase awareness of mental health resources
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Build resilience using a recipe for mental health
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Build cultural sensitivity around mental health
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Respond to community needs and decrease stigma
Suicide Prevention Training for teens and adults
1 hour and 30 minutes long
“Be Sensitive, Be Brave for Suicide Prevention” infuses culture and diversity throughout a foundational workshop on suicide prevention. This free workshop teaches community members to act as eyes and ears for suicidal distress and to connect individuals to help.
Community members will learn how to:
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Identify signs of suicide
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Ask if someone is considering suicide sensitively and confidently
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Connect individuals with the appropriate support
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Approach suicide prevention in a culturally sensitive manner
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Respond to community needs and decrease stigma