Hello there,
Over the past year, here at GEM CULTURE, we've closed our doors to new recruits in order to focus on the continuation of providing quality sessions to the youth that we currently serve. In addition, we've been exploring and taking a deeper look at what it looks like for us with regards to capacity building. We were born out of the pure need and passion to provide our youth with the tools that they need to be successful. For too many times, our youth grow into young adults and adults that are unable to successfully navigate life due to the lack of development in important areas of our lives such as compassion, coping skills, critical thinking skills, leadership, networking, understanding money, investing, budgeting, the knowledge of self, emotional intelligence, etc. The list goes on. When we focus on the whole child rather than one or a few aspects, then we are able to develop a child and guide them to success and success that is defined by them.
The work that we do here at GEM CULTURE was the spawn of a homeschool mother of two who happened to also be an artist, musician, entrepreneur, teacher, amongst many other things. Who says you can't do it all? After finding it very hard to find her footing sometimes in this life, she accidentally stumbled upon and discovered a passion, while navigating life, in working with children, particularly those that are adolescents to young adults. She particularly enjoyed being able to work with them in alternative settings such as electives, after school programs and extracurricular activities, where they were mostly encouraged to be their most authentic selves. With a vast background and experience in working with children, she found very quickly that it only took a few minutes or just a few short interactions for her to make a positive life-changing and lasting impact on a child's life and future. That inspired her to do just that and she sought out more work just like until she eventually founded her own organization to devote her life to this work.
Thus, GEM CULTURE, INC. was born as a safe space for BIPOC teenagers based in Miami, Florida, ages 13-18 to explore topics surrounding and that provide life development, ensuring their successful transition into adulthood. Due to the recent pandemic, GEM CULTURE was able to extend its reach using technology such as Zoom to teenagers in other cities such as Orlando and Tampa. Sessions are student led and entry into GEM CULTURE is exclusive as our saying goes here, "once a GEM, always a GEM". There is an interview process before joining GEM CULTURE only for the sake of evaluating the mind and if the teenager is indeed ready to embark on the education, self and healing work that awaits them in GEM CULTURE. While our primary focus is to diminish the gaps that limit high-ability or gifted youth (ages 13-18) who are socially and economically disadvantaged, our doors are open to all genders and races who find that our mission resonates and aligns with what it is that they seek out of life. We pride ourselves on doing our best to engage our parents and our community in on the work that we do as we know that the village is key and essential to the overall development of each individual, thus, our planet and as a people. This is our way of playing our part in the advancement of society and the human race. By working to advance the minds and thought processes of our youth and by connecting them to the resources that they will need in order to do so, we will for sure meet our vision to make enrichment opportunities and economic resources accessible to all youth.
We are excited to open our doors once again to new teenagers; however, we will continue to focus on our current youth at this time. Do continue to read our blog posts and join our mailing list to stay up to date on when we do. This will also keep you in the loop with what is happening here in the Culture. We will certainly let you know when we are opening up our doors for new recruits, mentors and for overall expansion. Still then, stay tuned for our events that are open to the public. More announcements on that soon!
Peace and Love,
GEM CULTURE