The David's Harp Foundation, Inc.

UPDATE on Biz Pod inside East Mesa! In June we began expanding our Biz Pod program to bring youth mentorship through video production inside juvenile hall. Demonstrating a commitment to positive growth, six youth have now been chosen for the new video production cohort. These participants will build professional videography skills as they create a project sharing their personal process of change. Through Biz Pod, youth experiencing incarceration are on a pathway to work and a better future! Exciting things coming! 📸 #creativeyouthdevelopment #bizpod #dhf #juvenilejustice #processofchange

Happy 15th Birthday to Us! Launched in 2009, the David's Harp Foundation has expanded from a tiny garage studio into a broad spectrum of mentorship for youth ages 13-22. Led by a team of deeply committed Artist Mentors, our innovative programs are achieving remarkable impact in the critical areas of academic engagement, justice-involvement, workforce development, and affordable housing. It's been a wild ride, with more surprises, heartaches and joys than we ever could have anticipated! But through it all the central story remains the same: In a creative, caring and supportive environment centered on authentic relationships, youth are flourishing personally, artistically, and professionally! Here's to the next 15! 🎂

Successfully completing probation is a win worth celebrating! More than a simple update to a young persons' legal record, it represents the fruit of their focused commitment to making healthy decisions, and their willingness to do the hard work needed to reach their goals. DHF youth who cross this milestone are invited to sign a coveted pair of Air Force 1s, adding their name as a testimony to the resilience and dedication of the youth we serve. Congratulations to our latest signer, Lilly! You are amazing and we are so proud of you! 💛 💚 💜 #creativeyouthdevelopment #dhf #juvenilejustice #airjordan

Expanding the horizons of hope (and fashion!) with our first ever Digital Art Fashion Show inside Juvenile Hall! Our "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" Digital Art program is expanding access to trusted adult mentors for youth experiencing incarceration. So proud of the young men who put their new skills to work for this inspiring event, creating and sharing their original clothing designs with family, friends, and staff! Special thanks to amazing instructor Clister Smith, and our partners at South Bay Community Services - Compassion | Outreach | Wellness, The Children's Initiative, and San Diego County Probation. Photography by Biz Pod's Elisa Cruz. 🔥🔥🔥

Huge thanks to Susie Fikse, Lily Journey and everyone at Hope for San Diego for letting us capture their epic Day of Service, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to support dozens of amazing non-profits around San Diego county! A wonderful project for our young content creators as they build their businesses. Looking forward to collaborating more in the future! 🧡🧡🧡 "The shoot challenged us to perform under pressure. We were on a tight schedule to cover three locations. But everyone was incredibly kind, and their cooperation was key in helping us get all the shots we needed. It was awesome to see the community involved in activities like environmental conservation and more. A highlight was when a grandmother gave us a handful of peppers – such a sweet moment!" DHF Content Creator Dan C. 🎥 🌶

We are so proud of this guy!!! 🔥 Morales walked into the studio this week as a GRADUATE with his High School Diploma! 🎓 Wins like this is what keeps us going. 🎉 Sky is the limit for you bro!

DHF ❤️ CASAs! Our community partner Voices for Children, Inc. recruits and trains amazing volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), providing the consistent and caring support children need to navigate the Foster Care system. We love hosting CASAs and youth at TDHF's studios, making music, having fun, and sharing resources to support this vital work! Learn more about becoming a CASA at https://www.speakupnow.org 

#TrackTuesday! So honored to help empower this young man to share his voice at California's Office of Youth and Community Restoration's conference on juvenile justice systems. Original song recorded inside East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, music video featuring TDHF's staff edited by Dan C., animation by Elisa Cruz. "As his mentor, I am incredibly proud of Tamir's hard work and dedication to this project. It was an honor to work with him and witness his creativity and insight.” - Joseph Mack III, Director of Programs, TDHF. #bizpod #juvenilejustice #creativeyouthdevelopment

Serving Beyond the Studio - Our amazing Manager of Instruction, Rashaad Graham, recently took time from his busy schedule to inspire future leaders at San Diego Mesa College. Professor Starla Lewis' course connects students with community leaders and organizations to create action plans addressing critical needs in our city. Joining a distinguished lineup of past speakers, including City College President Dr. Ricky Shabazz, EdD and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, Rashaad shared about his own journey as a community leader and the transformative impact of TDHF in mentoring underserved youth through music and media. Well done, Shaddy!

With 6 years experience building and leading DHF's unique relationship-centered workforce development program, BizPod Director Evan Yamada has now brought mentorship through video production inside Juvenile Hall. Last week he began building a video-editing suite and interviewing program candidates at the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility. "Meaningful work, done together over time—that's where trust grows, conversations happen, light bulbs start to turn on. That's how change takes place at BizPod. I'm excited to now share that journey with youth at East Mesa!" 🔥 🎦 #juvenilejustice #mentorship #bizpod #entrepreneurs #youth #sandiego