Artists + Practitioners + Organizations

Via International promotes sustainable development by engaging and supporting leaders in emerging communities. The organization is driven by and centered on including community voices and strengthening (“formation”) community leadership. It is committed to meeting leaders where they are and working together to identify solutions that elevate communities. Via International works through the lens of asset-based community development, which builds off already present strengths and assets. It encourages a participatory process where people identify their needs and act to improve their quality of life, families, and communities.

Los Amigos de la Comunidad, Inc. is a community-based nonprofit working to increase the capacity of the underserved communities of the Imperial Valley and intertwined regions facing socio-economic and environmental injustices, health care access disparities, and institutional discrimination.  The organization builds the capacity of these communities from the ground up, supporting those facing injustices, challenges, lack of educational opportunities, poor infrastructure, and lack of affordable and adequate housing by using culturally competent and relevant organizing and advocacy methods.

Maraya Performing Arts' (MPA) mission is to uplift historically marginalized communities through creative youth development and place based artistic productions that help forge thought leaders that cultivate meaningful community change.