Why it Matters

What do we know from nearly 30 years of service?

Caldera learners gain practical life skills and social emotional development. We know from the past two decades of programming that our community of support builds confidence, connection, and a deeper sense of self. We are now embarking on an ambitious research project to learn even more about our impact, during which we will track learners’ Caldera experience over the course of their seven years in the youth program. We look forward to involving youth, families, and other stakeholders in this process.

“By the time I graduated from the program, I knew who I wanted to be and how I wanted to impact the world around me. As an adult, I not only have confidence in myself but also my skills, and that’s thanks to Caldera. I developed leadership, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and film-editing skills over the years.”

“Having my voice heard allowed me to know that my opinions and thoughts matter. With confidence, 
I know that I can reach my goal and overcome barriers that would otherwise hold me back.”

Our youth program best functions in relation to Caldera’s overall creative ecosystem, a constellation that includes learners, mentors, and artists. Mentors provide dependable support, using creative activities as a tool to explore identity and connection, while artists build on that groundwork to infuse artistic exploration and skill building.