genealogy and youth

ancestral project | alternatives in action and  sup. keith carson

from february 2011 to present, i have had the wonderful opportunity to mentor nearly 300 youth in the alameda county, ca area by teaching them the value of their family history and how to discover and document it. it was a project that i had been waiting years to do, and i was absolutely honored, and ready to take it on. it is one of the best blessings i have ever received.

in short, this program merges personal storytelling and genealogy so that participants are given the opportunity to learn about themselves and are given the skills to communicate what they’ve learned to their communities.  after drawing up a site specific curriculum and planning out our sessions,, we work with a team of volunteers, including members of the african american genealogical society of northern california (aagsnc), california genealogical society and library (cgs), san francisco bay area jewish genealogical society.  volunteers are key in helping facilitate genealogy research sessions and participating in intergenerational dialogue with the youth.  the oakland family search library has also partnered with us as the site of many of our sessions, especially for groups of youth such as those in WETA.

sites for the ancestral project are as follows:

  • spring 2011 sites – mclymonds high school, alameda county beyond emancipation (b2b), berkeley technological academy
  • spring 2012 sites – mclymonds high school, alameda county youth probation weekend training academy (WETA)
  • fall 2012 sites – alameda county youth probation weekend training academy (WETA), midrasha, alameda county beyond emancipation (b2b)
  • spring 2013 sites – life academy, mclymonds high school, alameda county youth probation weekend training academy (WETA)

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