Afterschool and youth council participants and staff at Oceanside Cornerstone Community Center celebrate Juneteenth. Emily, quoted below, is in the middle row, second from the right, in a royal blue shirt.
When deciding how to mark Juneteenth at our DYCD-funded Oceanside Cornerstone Community Center, Program Director Nelson Sarweh knew he wanted to do something that would be both meaningful and celebratory for the youth in the afterschool program and youth council. Nelson and his team decided on a Juneteenth end-of-year barbecue with celebration, performances, and reflection.
“We collectively as a staff at the Oceanside Cornerstone Community Center think it is very important for our young people to learn about their history,” Nelson said. “They learned important historical facts about Juneteenth and performed a skit that illustrated the challenges that were faced to achieve freedom. The parents and community were pleased with the performance, and we had a barbecue afterwards. We are trying to establish an environment of home in the center, and meaningful events such as this are the building blocks towards that goal.”
After the day’s events, 11-year-old Emily stated that when she thinks of Juneteenth, she thinks about how the observance “symbolizes freedom for all, fighting for your rights, and having fun with others.”
The youth enjoyed the Juneteenth celebration and learning about their heritage. The event offered a special opportunity to reflect on the significance of this landmark holiday, honor those who came before them, and inspire those who will come after.
