Music, Mentorship and Healing: From the Ashes We Rise

From the Ashes We Rise (FAWR) is a local youth organization whose mentorship empowerment program VIVA (Voices Inspiration Values Action) combines mentorship, creative expression, emotional wellness, and music. Led by Jorge Flores, Christian Reyes, and Jesus Diaz, FAWR's mission is to guide local youth through a process of healing, connection and creative self-discovery through music and powerful healing circles.

Corazón Healdsburg has partnered with FAWR as its fiscal sponsor after they applied and received funding through the Art and Culture Collective of Northern Sonoma County’s Diversity in the Arts Grant. This partnership will support the growing organization in implementing its programs and developing partner relationships while it works to secure nonprofit status.

Over the last few months, a cohort of 23 students from Cloverdale, Geyserville and Healdsburg gathered weekly together to learn to play guitar and build community by joining healing circles, while talking about their experiences as youth from diverse backgrounds, finding common ground on what it means to be growing up in a challenging world.

Recently, FAWR celebrated the accomplishments of their first group of students with a graduation. We are so proud of all the youth involved! And we are grateful to the program leaders for building this important initiative focusing on the needs and aspirations of local youth and honored to support their work.