the goal of helping others to find “a happy place” Mia Garcia— Award Winner in a safe and supportive environment. Woodside Elementary 8
After presenting her ideas to the school th
faculty, Mia has founded a student-led
grader Mia Garcia organization that seeks to create a safe and is the 2018 inviting environment for everyone regardless of winner of the
their gender or sexual orientation. The
Juan Barajas
organization, Fusion, would be a place where
Youth Leadership Award. The award, meant to
students could drop in whenever they feel
recognize leadership, has been given to various
stressed, emotional, overwhelmed, or if they
youth throughout the past 11 years in honor of
simply need a quiet place to relax. Mia describes:
the foundational work Juan
“kids need an expanded
Barajas accomplished with Outlet.
Founded in 1997, Outlet
hangout spot” and as well “to
empowers Lesbian, Gay, Bisex-
talk about social-emotional
ual, Transgender, Queer and
issues including stress, friend
recognizes LGBTQ+ youth who
Questioning (LGBTQQ+) youth
problems, mental health,
have made outstanding
and builds safe and accepting
gossip, and unnecessary
achievements not only in their
communities through support,
bullying” among other topics.
activism supporting the
education, and advocacy.
She notes these areas of
Mia’s recent award
community, but also in their own personal growth. Outlet is youth-centered, respecting all individuals and honoring
concern are not always being addressed at an early enough age and that students can benefit from “opening
their differences. Outlet program staff provide a up to such mental health topics much sooner.” safe environment that is confidential, inclusive,
Mia’s vision has led to the involvement of
and non-judgmental. Striving for social justice
several faculty members at Woodside
and engaging youth in achieving freedom,
Elementary in developing just such a “safe place”
fairness, and equality for all are the core
to be available for all the students at the school.
elements of the program. Outlet services
Her dream is for the program to continue on
support the emotional, physical, and social
after her graduation so that future students can
development of youth as whole individuals.
share the same “safe place” benefits that have
It was at Outlet that Mia describes that she “found her voice” and realized how she could both become a better person and find
meant so much to her personal growth as well. A big thank you to Sequoia Healthcare District for supporting Woodside Elementary
meaningful ways to give back to the community. School and the development of Fusion Club, It was a place “where I was not being judged and Outlet, and Adolescent Counseling Services. felt safe and included.” From this, she developed
