California Community Education Center
PROGRAMS
Queer and Trans Youth Project (QTYP)
Our Queer and Trans Youth Project (QTYP) allows us to focus our resources on identifying and providing direct services to queer and trans youth of color and youth with disabilities throughout Orange County and California. Services include our online performing arts program for piano and our college readiness program for priority K-12 and college students.
Communities will be more inclusive and accessible to LGBTQIA+ persons and individuals with disabilities. Queer and trans youth of color and youth with disabilities will always have opportunities to meaningfully engage and participate in creative and educational programs in community.
CalMusic—Piano
Our online performing arts program for piano is a 12-week introductory course designed to help underserved students learn to read and write music, familiarize students with music theory principles, and help students develop piano technique and basic performance skills. Students learn in group settings. Student groups consist of 5-7 students of similar age and grade. Upon completing the course, students are invited to participate in a community concert to showcase their newly developed skills. Concerts are generally in-person and we partner with local organizations who can provide accessible performance spaces as well as local businesses who can donate food and beverages. Students who wish to supplement their music education can continue with our program for three additional cycles. CalMusic—Piano has developed curriculum for students to continue for a total of four seasons, or one full year. Community concerts are held at the completion of every 12-week cycle, or once every season. All students and families are welcome to participate. We provide opportunities to students who do not have access to musical instruments.
Our priority youth need affirming and accessible programs in order to be prepared for fulfilling postsecondary opportunities. According to the California Department of Education, the disaggregated data for underrepresented students suggest students who live at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities are dropping out of school at much higher rates and graduating at lower rates. Available data for our priority students show they are the furthest from accessing postsecondary education.
Furthermore, according to findings from the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS:88) managed by the Office for Educational Research and Improvement at the U.S. Department of Education, music students: 1) receive higher grades than non-music students; 2) show significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency; 3) demonstrate higher rates of college enrollment and attainment; and, 4) are three times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree and more likely to earn mostly A’s in college.
Therefore, CalMusic—Piano provides programmatic intervention that contributes to increasing college access by providing a critical wraparound service that bolsters academic achievement and overall wellness. Our program creates opportunities for underserved youth to safely engage their peers in community, while learning skills that increase matriculation rates of underrepresented student populations in our state.
Ultimately, our goal is to help build communities and futures that are more inclusive and accessible, especially for LGBTQIA+ persons and individuals with disabilities.
Approximately 45-63 students served annually.
CONTACT
California Community Education Center
40 Prado Rd.
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
Jose Mendoza
Phone: 8057244816