I'm proud to share that I'm participating in the EVC Spring Youth Documentary Premiere & Benefit 2026, a benefit event supporting the Educational Video Center! This June 10, EVC will premiere two powerful original documentaries produced by young New Yorkers.

This recent photograph of me with Christine Mendoza, my former EVC student, reminds me why I believe so strongly in EVC's programs and pedagogy. Students, many of whom had lost interest in completing high school before coming to EVC, build confidence, gain knowledge, develop professional media-making skills, and find purpose through making documentaries about issues important to them. Christine, who completed three EVC programs during and after high school, now has a BA from Hunter College, an MA in Comparative Ethnic Conflict & International Education from Queens University, Belfast, and is the Executive Director of the NYC non-profit, Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Of course, the credit for these accomplishments goes to Christine, but she will tell you that EVC  opened the door to and prepared her for such opportunities. 

Join me in supporting this work to offer growth and opportunity to more NYC youth! Spaces like EVC, where young people learn to document injustice and stand in solidarity with their communities, are under threat right now, and your donation helps keep this work alive.

Here's how you can help:

Donate — every dollar is an act of solidarity.
Share this page — the more of us standing together, the closer we get to our goal.

See you on June 10!