Teaching Artist Asa Mendelsohn collaborated with the ICHS 11th graders to investigate the issue of gun violence and how we can prevent it. The group interviewed members of their community and experts working on the issue. Together, they created the documentary video, ¿Qué lo qué South Bronx? a film that explores the impact of gun violence on our communities and imagines ways to move towards healing.

CUP’s Senior Youth Education Program Manager, Fielding Hong, collaborated with the ICHS 12th graders to investigate NYC’s foster care system and its impact on children and families. Through artmaking, design thinking, and participatory action research methods, the students examined multiple perspectives on the issue. The group teamed up with CUP’s Fellow for Change in Design, Marisa Hetzler, and created the booklet, Care-ful, to teach others what they learned, how to support struggling families, and how to care for members of our community.