Hi!

I am walking 100 miles — check out my route here!! — across LA County to raise awareness and funds for Arts Bridging The Gap. All of our organization’s work aims to cultivate empathy and understanding. This requires curiosity, deep listening, examining biases, and learning about others' experiences. And that is what this walk is all about. My goal is to:

Engage with and learn from the communities and organizations I visit on my journey through our fabulous County!
Bring to light the experience of local, historically and systemically excluded communities and artists
Celebrate public and community artworks discovered along the way — and the role they play in connecting people and communities
Share information on how to develop and expand overall wellness and mindfulness through community connection
Expand awareness of ABG's mission and programs

This is about “walking the walk,”Dreaming, planning and talking is important but I believe we learn the most when we “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes,” and I am hopeful that this journey will unearth new findings, initiate new connections, and expand my understanding of our fiercely colorful City.

With this walk, I am also raising ESSENTIAL funds to match the growth of Arts Bridging the Gap (ABG) in its expanded efforts to support our most under-resourced communities.

My goal is to raise $100,000! — roughly $1K/mile.

By infusing empathy, compassion, healing, and endless LOVE into our arts-based programming, ABG uplifts our city's youth, as they grow and discover their endless potential! It breaks my heart to see so many of our students afraid to make eye contact, contribute their thoughts or take any risks. In this (somewhat) “post” pandemic world, there is a new, deeper level of fear and insecurity in our kids. I believe with all of my heart that if we really want to create change for our young people, we have to be deeply collaborating WITH THEM, truly listening and responding to their needs.

Ninety percent of ABG’s students and participants live under the poverty line. Many of our youth have undocumented parents, have been touched by the justice system, have family who are gang members, experienced or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, and/or have been diagnosed with learning challenges. We serve predominantly BIPOC youth, and we have to grow to support their growing need.

I am SO EXCITED to share that Arts Bridging The Gap is hiring our first, full time paid Executive Director. As I step aside to let a new, passionate, inspired heart and mind lead ABG’s operations, I want to set them up from the beginning, with a healthy fiscal base to support them!

Please join me in my efforts to walk #100milesfor100K?!

Sending you love & gratitude,

Georgia :)

Mission Statement: Arts Bridging the Gap is a 501(c)3 Social Justice organization that uplifts the voices, experiences, and self-expression of youth from under resourced communities through immersive arts programs. We seek to cultivate the skills, mindsets, and connections that will allow youth to be their best and fullest selves, as individuals and as members of diverse, thriving communities.

Founded in 2014, Arts Bridging the Gap envisions a world in which all LA youth are empowered to become change makers. We build community by engaging underrepresented individuals in the creation of public art and activism in their own neighborhoods. We embrace all levels and varieties of physical, emotional, psychological, environmental, and learning abilities within our participants, staff, Board, and collaborators, for we uplifts individuals not in spite of their challenges, but rather because of, and in celebration of, each person’s unique, inherent strengths. As a social justice focused, educational, community-driven, artistic entity, Arts Bridging the Gap champions diversity and inclusion across all programming.

100 Miles for $100K!

By Arts Bridging The Gap

100 Miles for $100K!

Walking across LA County to raise funds + awareness for Arts Bridging The Gap!