Ocelotl Solstice Inspirations

Solstice Inspirations

Happy Solstice Beloved Community!

We did it! You made it! We completed the 24-25 School Year and we have now moved through the longest day of this challenging year.

We are here for GOOD!

And want to share what’s working and how you can get involved.

The Peer Leader Project

Alameda County Office of Education contracted with Ocelotl to design and implement a Peer Leaders Program. This was established as a collaborative process between Ocelotl Mentoring and Language Navigator alums and the Peer Leader interns to empower pregnant and parenting teens at Hobbs and Burke Academies in developing leadership, mental wellness, mentorship, and life skills. We created curriculum for eight weeks of sessions which concluded with 24 pregnant and parenting students trained as Peer Leaders, who then created community engagement projects for their peers and receiving stipends of $500 each.

The Peer Leader Internship curriculum focused on emotional well-being, trauma, brain development, and attachment. We built the program by reviewing past curricula and placing a strong emphasis on trauma-informed practices. This created a safe, inclusive space where pregnant and parenting teens were recognized as the experts of their own experiences.

This pilot program was led by Aimee Martinez and a team of Ocelotl Program Alum who lovingly translated and delivered the eight week trainings in the two school sites in Spanish.

It was an honor for the Alameda County Office of Education to give us this opportunity and for the AMAZING Principals at both Burke and Hobbs Academies along with thier incredible staff to open their spaces up for us to then meet and bond with these dynamic, courageous and resourceful young mothers. We learned SO much!

Meet the Team of Ocelotl Alum who supported Aimee’s vision for the Peer Leader Program

Julia Carreño is a rising third-year student at San José State University, with her major focused on Criminal Justice. As a high school student at MPA in Oakland, Julia was actively involved in Ocelotl programs like Mentoring and Language Navigators. These early experiences shaped her commitment to creating supportive, healing spaces for young people, where she continues to grow her passion for youth leadership. Julia is passionate about breaking generational cycles and helping youth recognize their power, voice, and worth. She leads with empathy, clarity, and the belief that every young person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.

Crystal Vega is a college student entering her third year at Cal State East Bay, where she is pursuing a degree in Nursing. She was a former participant in Ocelotl's Peer Mentoring and Leadership programs during Class of 23’ at MPA, and returned to support in both Hobbs and Burke Academy. Her ability to create safe, affirming spaces made her a trusted and respected leader among the interns. During the internship Crystal served as a group leader/mentor, guiding interns through curriculum and the design+ implementation of their community engagement projects, and created a community founded by trust, confidence, and perseverance within her group.

Xiomara Armenta is a college student entering her third year at San José State University. As a former Mentor and Language Navigator, she deeply understands the power of mentorship and consistently shows up with contagious energy and a strong belief in the potential of youth. During the Ocelotl internship, Xiomara created a relaxed, welcoming environment where laughter and connection helped her group thrive. At the same time, she skillfully guided her team through the Ocelotl curriculum with focus and purpose. For Xiomara, building community is essential, and she believes that attending the training consistently helped her build trust with the interns.

Kimberly Zavala is part of the graduate class of 2025 at MPA and has committed to attending San José State University in the fall. As a dedicated Ocelotl youth participant, she particpated in both the Mentoring and Language Navigator programs. During the Peer Leadership Internship, Kimberly regularly attended training sessions as a steady and supportive presence. Her role was rooted in encouragement, care, and consistency helping interns feel seen, valued, and supported. Kimberly’s strength and commitment to the program reflect the heart of the Ocelotl model: consistency and accountability, builds trust. She is now following in Aimee’s footsteps and supporting her peers as a Program Lead for the 2025 Community Corp Summer Interns.

Sponsor a Community Corp Intern

As we wind up the end of the 2025 school year and support students as Summer Interns through the Community Corp program, we ask our community to support our work.

Make a donation and share this newsletter with your network.

We are here for GOOD.

Supporting young people through transformative programs and meaningful work opportunities to both use their lived experience and grow into who they are meant to be for themselves and their communities is and has always been our focus.

We began in the pandemic within a system that did not support us. And we’ve built a way for our communities to heal and support one another.

We are HERE for good.

Not going anywhere and we would love to continue, fortified by your support.

Donate

Unity Council Training

It was SO GOOD they invited us back for 2025! Come get in this…Young People leading folks who support young people.

Time to talk and share and learn together. To build and grow programming and support for us to celebrate who we are and build our courage to get to where we need to be. XO!

RSVP HERE

As ever we appreciate your donations. They make us feel good and help us to keep things moving...Lots of LOVE!

Remember to Breathe…

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