Table&of&Contents& Experiences*of*Being*Stereotyped

* * Teen*Pregnancy:*An*Interview*with*an*Expecting*Mother

* * Skater:*Quotes*from*Two*Skaters

* * Pothead:*Not*a*Pothead

* Different*Sides*of*Youth

* Quotes*from*Teens

* Cry*for*Work

* Business*Concept:*Youth*Brothel

* First*Impressions:*Resource*Guide

* Our*Plan*Forward

! First* Impressions:* A* Deeper* Look* at* Youth* is* part* of*The* Convergence*

Project,*a*partnership*between*Story*of*Place*Institute,*Tierra*Encantada*Charter*

School,*Santa*Fe*Prep,*and*many*other*nonOprofits*O*including*SITE*Santa*Fe*and*

Youth*Media*Project.*The*purpose*of*the*project*is*to*get*more*youth*involved*in*

the*Railyard*area.*

* We*went*into*the*community*and*interviewed*different*people*to*find*their*

opinions*on*youth.*We*expected*to*find*a*bias*towards*illegal*actions.*We*did*but*

to* a*minor* degree.* For* the* most* part* there* was* simply* a* lack* of* knowledge.*

People* don’t* know* what* youth* are* doing* or* what* opportunities* there* are* for*

them.*A* fair* number* of* them*care,* but* even*they*couldn’t* tell* us*what* young*

people*could*do*with*their*free*time.*Many*people* said*that* it*was*the*youth’s*

responsibility*to*create*things*to*do.*

* We*also*asked*the*businesses*if*they*had*opportunities*or*ideas*for*youth.*

What* we* found*was*that* some*of* the*businesses*were* rude* or*may* have* felt*

threatened*by*us.*When*this*happened,*it*made*us*upset,*made*us*feel*that*we*

were*maybe*not*good*enough*for*the*business,*or*we*were*just*unwelcome.*We*

realized*that*youth*in*Santa*Fe*are*stereotyped*based*on*their*appearance*rather*

than*their*personality.*

* This* zine* is* a* step* toward* creating* things* to* do* and* changing* the* way*

people*look*at*youth.

O*Raquel*Garcia,*Mason*Hurlocker,*&*Julio*Rodriguez

Experiences*of*being*stereotyped...

TEEN$PREGNANCY:$AN$INTERVIEW$WITH$AN$EXPECTING$MOTHER

Q:#HOW#DO#YOU#FEEL#BEING#PREGNANT#AS#A#TEENAGER?#

A:#IT’S#HARD#SOMETIMES#WHEN#YOU#GO#PLACES#AND#THEY#LOOK#AT#YOU#WEIRD,#THEY#LOOK#AT#YOU#LIKE#YOU’RE#A#BAD#PERSON#OR#SOMETHING,#ESPECIALLY#OLD#PEOPLE.#

Q:#SO#PEOPLE#JUDGE#YOU?

A:#YES,#THEY#DO,#BUT#THEY#WON’T#SAY#IT#TO#YOUR#FACE.#I#DON’T#PAY#ATTENTION#TO#IT#THOUGH.#THEY#STARE#AT#YOU#LIKE#YOU#DID#SOMETHING#HORRIBLY#WRONG.

Q:#WHAT#DOES#IT#FEEL#LIKE#TO#BE#JUDGED?

A:#IT#FEELS#WEIRD.#IT#MAKES#YOU#FEEL#BAD,#BUT#I#DON’T#CARE#ANYMORE.#I’M#HAPPY#WITH#MY#BABY.#

Q:#WHEN#YOU#HAVE#YOUR#BABY#HOW#WILL#YOUR#LIFE#CHANGE?

A:#IT#WILL#CHANGE#IN#THE#SENSE#THAT#I#WILL#HAVE#TO#HAVE#MORE#PATIENCE.#IT#STILL#WANT#TO#GO#TO#SCHOOL#AND#HAVE#A#CAREER.#

Q:#DO#YOU#FEEL#PROUD#OF#YOURSELF?

A:#AT#FIRST#I#DIDN’T#BUT#NOW#AFTER#I#HAVE#HAD#A#REALLY#HARD#PREGNANCY#AND#STAYED#IN#SCHOOL#AND#AM#GOING#TO#GRADUATE#I#FEEL#DIFFERENT.#

Q:#WHAT#FEARS#DO#YOU#HAVE#OF#BEING#A#YOUNG#MOTHER?

A:#GRADUATING#WAS#ONE.#NOT#KNOWING#WHAT#TO#DO,#LIKE#WHEN#HE#IS#CRYING#OR#UPSET,#NOT#HAVING#THE#ANSWERS.#I#HAVE#TAKEN#CARE#OF#BABIES#BEFORE,#BUT#NOW#I#WILL#BE#TAKING#CARE#OF#HIM#EVERYDAY#AND#IT#MAKES#ME#NERVOUS.

Q:#WHAT#SORT#OF#SUPPORT#DO#YOU#HAVE?#ARE#THERE#RESOURCES#FOR#TEEN#MOMS?#

A:#I#DON’T#HAVE#A#JOB#BECAUSE#WHO#IS#GOING#TO#HIRE#ME#RIGHT#NOW?#I#ASK#MY#MOM#TO#HELP#ME,#BUT#IT#MAKES#ME#FEEL#BAD#BECAUSE#IT#IS#MY#BABY#AND#I#CAN’T#SUPPORT#HIM#RIGHT#NOW#LIKE#I#WOULD#LIKE#TO.#I#HAVE#THE#SUPPORT#OF#MY#WHOLE#FAMILY.#WE’RE#A#SMALL#FAMILY#BUT#WE#ARE#REALLY#CLOSE.#THERE#ARE#PROGRAMS#LIKE#WIC.#I#USED#THEM#BUT#NOT#NOW#BECAUSE#IT#WAS#TOO#FRUSTRATING#WITH#ALL#THE#LIMITATIONS#AND#RESTRICTIONS.#I#COULD#ONLY#GET#CERTAIN#THINGS#AND#THEY#WERE#NEVER#WHAT#I#REALLY#WANTED#OR#NEEDED.#

QUOTES FROM TWO SKATERS

“Everybody hates us, nobody likes skaters and they kick us out.”

“People think we are rude and that we’re stoners and ruin public property.”

“Understand why we skate because we are not trying to be rude..we’re just out getting

exercise like the basketball or football teams.”

NOT A POTHEADMason Hurlocker

Have you ever been put into a stereotypical position? Have you ever been grouped with people that you didn't feel

you belonged with?

Most of us have. I get called a lot of things, punk, pothead, douche, etc, etc. These assumptions may not be totally unfounded, but neither are they anywhere near the whole truth. People fail to notice my 3.3 GPA, which, for someone like me, is something to be proud of. People fail to notice the fact that I compete in five sports, two of these at national level. The only thing they notice, is what they assume they will find. It's unfortunate that so many teenagers and young adults in general are regarded in this way. Sure they may have some bad habits, but that is no reason for them to be passed off and disregarded as young, drug addicted, hopeless causes.  Most of these assumed teenagers have more valid, and productive ideas than adults I know. They can take care of themselves for the most part, and are not nearly as pathetic as people make them seem. The point here-in is to say that someday these people may be running the world, they are intelligent, and have ideas for a new generation. These are the people being disrespected to the extreme, and the people doing the disrespecting, watch out, because someday, these people might be in a position of power.

Different Sides of Youth

We all have different characteristics. Some of these are good, and some are less so. However, it takes a deeper understanding of a person to know all of these sides. Nobody should be judged by the way they first appear, and everyone should be given a chance to expose their different faces.

Photos by Kristin Leigh

TEENS Maritsa Medina & Cynthia Rubalcava

We as youth would like to be able to get jobs. Most people take it wrong because they think we are not responsible. But no, we just want to have money and be responsible for our own stuff. Some adults think that teens do not take the responsibility for our actions. It's not fair for us teenagers to not be able to get a job because we're just trying to save money for our family, ourselves and for college, which is the reason I want to work to save for college and be someone in life. We are teenagers and want to have a better future and life.

ADOLESCENTESSomos tan jóvenes nos gustaría un trabajo. La mayoría de la gente lo toma mal porque piensan que no somos responsables. Algunos adultos piensan que no somos responsables. Pero no, sólo quiero tener dinero y ser responsables de

nuestras propias cosas. Algunos adultos piensan que los adolescentes no tienen la responsabilidad de nuestras acciones. No es justo para nosotros los

adolescentes a no ser capaz de conseguir un trabajo, porque sólo estamos queriendo adolescentes ahorrar dinero para nuestra familia, las cosas mismas, y

en la universidad, que es la única razón por la que quiero trabajar para salvar dinero para la universidad y ser alguien en la vida. Somos adolescentes que

queremos tener un futuro mejor.

CRY FOR WORK

Photos by Kristin Leigh

First Impressions: Resource Guide and MapMikey Trujillo & Andrew Vanderbilt

We, students from Tierra Encantada Charter School, went around to different businesses in the Railyard to ask them about youth employment and youth activities. Here are our first impressions. We hope to continue this research in more detail next year, with creating a teen-friendly rating scale to help businesses understand what could attract more youth to the area.

Allsups 305 N. Guadalupe. (Corner of Guadalupe & Cerrillos) Cheap food. Easy to get in and out. Convenient. Recommended.

Ark Books 133 Romero, St. (Behind REI) - Sells books, crystals, statues, etc. “Love it. My favorite place in the whole world.” Employs youth during the summer. Recommended.

Bee Hive - 328 Montezuma Ave. Books for youth and teens. Recommended.

Bowling alley & arcade - Coming in 2014.

The Cowgirl - 319 S. Guadalupe St. Restaurant. Good burgers. “They were nice and not rude at all. They were teen-friendly.” Employs youth. Recommended.

Daniella - Market Station. Women’s Clothing Boutique. “They were rude and told us ‘We don’t do community.”’ Not recommended.

El Museo Cultural - 555 Camino de la Familia. A place for teen’s to go, have great performance and art show spaces. Recommended.

Flying Star - Market Station. Restaurant. Yummy Mac & Cheese and Red Stuff (drink). “They were very nice people and teen-friendly.” Recommended.

Motel 6 - 646 Cerrillos Road. “They were nice and cool.” Recommended.

Peruvian Exchange - 328 S. Guadalupe St. Suite D. Clothing Store. “They were rude and not teen-friendly and wanted us out of the store.” Not recommended.

Railyard Performance Space - 1611A Paseo de Peralta- Hosts various events for the community. Recommended.

REI - Market Station. Clothing and outdoor store. “They are nice people and were real friendly.” Recommended. They employ youth over 15 if they have a passion and experience in outdoor activities.

Reel Fishing - Sanbusco Center. - Fishing and tour store. “They were nice and teen friendly.” Recommended. (Was able to do this interview, before Sanbusco Center security asked us to leave)

Sanbusco Center - Upscale shopping center. “They were not friendly and really rude.” Not recommended.

Santa Fe Clay - 545 Camino de la Familia - Pottery studio where teens can take workshops. “They were nice but don’t hire youth because small business” Recommended.

Santa Fe Farmer’s Market - 1607 Paseo de Peralta. Recommended. Employs youth.

Santa Fe Raillyard Stewards - Railyard area. - Offers volunteer opportunities for community gardening and take care of Railyard Park and plaza. “These people are nice and clean up after people.” Recommended.

SITE Santa Fe - 1606 Paseo De Peralta. Art gallery and youth education programs, including Young Curators. “They are very nice people and respectful. Offers internships. Recommended.

The Station Coffeehouse - 520 S. Guadalupe St. “They were very friendly and do hire youth.” Recommended. Employs youth.

Swiss Bakery & Pastry Shop - 401 S. Guadalupe St. - “Super impressed with service and attitude.” Recommended. Employs youth.

Tomasita’s Restaurant - 500 S. Guadalupe St. Good place to eat. Good shrimp tacos. Employs youth. Recommended. Employs youth.

Verizon - Market Station. Very nice. Recommended.

Violet Crown - Movie theater coming in late 2013/early 2014 between Flying Star and Santa Fe Clay.

Warehouse 21 - 1614 Paseo de Peralta. “They are very nice people and very respectful. They are teen- friendly. Recommended.

Youth Media Project - (upstairs Warehouse 21). Educates youth in the craft of digital story-telling. “I would recommend Youth Media Project. Great organization. Helps get youth intro to broadcasting.” Recommended.

Zia Dinner - Great artichoke dip, chicken fried steak, meatloaf, open-faced turkey sandwiches. Employs youth. Recommended.

Our Plan ForwardCybele Mayes-Osterman and Martin Soto

The Convergence Project is collaboration of teens from different high schools to increase teen opportunities in the Railyard area, Santa Fe’s “family room.” This project is sponsored by Story of Place Institute, a nonprofit that works on neighborhood revitalization through. Next year, we have four programs we would like to implement:

1. Research Study• During our pilot research, we found that youth complained there

was nothing to do in the area but had no input when asked what they wanted.

• Therefore the Convergence Project hopes to conduct focus groups and surveys with over 700 youth (from the high schools in Santa Fe) to gather a “needs assessment” and more specifically to understand what they would like to see in the Railyard area.

2. Change stereotypes of teens• Through our initial research, we have become aware that many

adults in the Railyard area are unsure on how to interact with teens.• During our pilot study we surveyed over 20 businesses in the

Railyard area. We experienced many of the businesses to be less than friendly towards us.

• Our goal for next year is to educate the community, focusing on the Railyard area, about youth stereotypes.

• We will achieve this through radio shows, art projects, community conversations, and the creation of a teen rating scale and mentorship opportunities.

3. Teen Rating Scale• We will work with businesses to create more teen-friendly

opportunities and resources for youth in this area (applying our research) and then give each business a teen-friendly rating, designated by a sticker on their door and mentioned in a resource guide we hope to create for youth about the area. This can be replicated to other neighborhoods.

4. Mentorship/Jobs• Youth find it difficult to find jobs in the area to not only occupy their

time, but provide them with a source of income. Of the few activities available in Santa Fe for youth, for example, movies, concerts, and food, most of them require money.

• We would like to match up youth with mentorships, which if the participant successfully complete for 3 months, it will evolve into a paid position.

• This would create an intergenerational educational experience, which will also help youth to have jobs, and activities in the area, which is a crucial step for Santa Fe to take, in order to evolve as a community.  

Next year, Santa Fe Prep, Tierra Encantada Charter School and the MASTERS program will be part of this program. It is also a unique collaboration between many non-profit organization in the Railyard : Story of Place Institute, SITE Santa Fe, Youth Media Project, El Museo Cultural, Boys and Girls Club, and the Railyard Stewards, to name a few.

To make a tax-deductible donation for this program, for further information or to become involved, please email ashley@storyofplace.org

Contributors and Sponsors of First Impressions: A Deeper Look at Youth

The Convergence Project

Sam DannenbergMason HurlockerCybele Mayes-OstermanKristin LeighMartin SotoSponsor teacher: Russell Spinney

Raquel GarciaMariah JohnsonMaritsa MedinaMiranda Reichard-GutierrezIan RodelaJulio RodriguezDaniel RiosLyon RiveraCynthia RuvalcabaUllerike SvenneMikey TrujilloAndrew VanderbiltSponsor teacher: Hana Patrick

For more information on this project contact Ashley Nielsen at ashley@storyofplace.org

Published by the generous support of:

The Convergence Project is sponsored by: