SAY Sí has long been known as San Antonio’s premier out-of-school time creative youth development organization. Since its inception in 1994, its growing success rates have garnered national attention and recognition. But for the first time in its 21-year history – SAY Sí’s tuition-free programs will go global.

On February 9, 2016, SAY Sí hosted a “Changemakers Press Conference” event to announce new program support from: The Santikos Charitable Foundation, San Antonio’s Department for Culture and Creative Development and Adobe’s new corporate responsibility initiative, Project 1324.

SAY Sí is one of seven international youth arts organizations chosen to receive an inaugural Creative Catalyst Award by Adobe Project 1324. Creative Catalyst Awards are given to organizations across the globe that support and inspire the next generation of creatives. Awardees receive a classroom donation of Adobe’s Creative Cloud software for up to 25 computers. Participating youth from these organizations can also apply to the Adobe Creativity Scholarship Program, which provides full-ride education grants to youth pursuing a creative path in higher education. Additionally, Creative Catalysts have multiple opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, convening and professional development.

Project 1324 is also awarding SAY Sí with an Innovation Grant to fund a new SAY Sí-led initiative called Project Papalote. Through Project Papalote, SAY Sí staff and youth will travel to Boston, Massachusetts; Salt Lake City, Utah; Mexico City, Mexico and Kolkata, India to work with other youth development organizations to collaboratively create media projects that focus on the theme of identifying borders and breaking boundaries.

Strengthening the organization’s place on the global stage, San Antonio’s Department for Culture and Creative Development, in conjunction with the International Relations Office, has sponsored five SAY Sí students to attend the Annual Sister Cities Youth Leadership Summit this July. Through the four-day Summit, Sister Cities International empowers young people to think globally; spurring a new generation of citizen diplomats who become instrumental in promoting peace, mutual respect, and prosperity.

“We are grateful and honored to receive this new support,” states Jon Hinojosa, SAY Sí Artistic/Executive Director. “One of our priorities as an organization is to remind the urban youth we work with that they are changemakers. This support galvanizes and ignites our commitment to them, for they are the next generation of creative leaders for our city, country and the world.”

Last month, SAY Sí was also one of the first organizations in San Antonio to receive a John Santikos Passion Grant. For this grant, John L. Santikos chose six San Antonio organizations that would be part of a competitive process for funding. SAY Sí was selected to receive a grant to strengthen their film and media programs with updated equipment and supplies for students.

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