Colores del Futuro
VERONICA TORRES, ART AMBASSADOR
“Colores del Futuro” is a project that is very dear to my heart. My passion for this idea originates from my life experiences and the stories told by my family members. My mother was raised in a migrant camp, and as a young child, I attended a daycare we called “La Escuelita,” located at the center of a migrant camp.
Throughout my life, I have witnessed firsthand the racial oppression, discrimination, and exploitation that migrant farmworkers face. And during my graduate studies, I made it a point to focus all of my research on this societal issue. Although I valued my scholarly work, I felt it wasn't enough. I wanted to do something more that could bring awareness to this societal issue while also building a stronger sense of community.
Art has always been a passion of mine and a powerful tool for healing generational trauma. This passion, combined with my desire to give back to my community and invest in the future of our society—our children—led to the creation of “Colores del Futuro.”
Children deserve the right to explore their creative outlets and know that, even though they are here for a short period, their community cares about them and values the work their parents and guardians do. “Colores del Futuro” was established to provide a safe space where children of migrant farmworkers can engage fully in a creative community, learn to express themselves, develop artistic tools for self-healing, and, most importantly, have fun exploring their creative minds.
Our recent event, which brought together art, poetry, and elements of hip-hop, was a truly unforgettable experience. I’m grateful to our dedicated educators: Zeps aka Rhymosaurs, Dr. Vielka Solano, and our incredible volunteers—Nancy and Juan Martinez, a fellow CVBIPOC Coalition comrade, my family, and our generous donors: MSR Foundation, Chalk Wild “Chalkers,” Ryan Roth Gallo, and the Modesto Artists Movement for helping me start this project with a mini grant. Thank you all so much!
With everyone’s support, we hosted a 90-minute art workshop for 38 children, featuring three engaging activity stations. These activities provided a creative outlet for the children, helping them express themselves, explore new ideas, and build self-confidence. Chalk Wild backpacks were provided to elementary school children, thanks to MSR foundation. And thanks to Ryan Roth Gallo, we were able to supply teens with backpacks, as well as snacks, and drinks for both the children and their parents.
The feedback was heartwarming—one 14-year-old said, “This was so much fun, I loved it! When can we do it again?” and a 7-year-old asked, “Teacher Veronica, can we do more? When will you be back?” Parents also expressed their gratitude for the meaningful and creative event.
This experience was a joy for everyone involved, and we’re excited to see how far the creative minds of these children can go with future projects. As we continue and expand the “Colores del Futuro” initiative throughout Stanislaus County, we look forward to supporting their imaginations and witnessing the impact of these creative opportunities on their lives.
