​​​Project WHAT! (We’re Here And Talking!) is a paid leadership development and advocacy program for Bay Area youth ages 13-21 who are impacted by mass incarceration. Our focus is on serving young people in San Francisco and Oakland, but are also open to those who live in other parts of Alameda County and Contra Costa County.
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The goal of Project WHAT! is to create a community that encourages youth impacted by mass incarceration to use their voice, pride, and power. PW Youth Advocates are trained as facilitators, and eventually use their experiential expertise and leadership skills to provide training workshops for law enforcement, educators, lawmakers, and other community members on how to interact with, support, and advocate for children with incarcerated parents. Using their public speaking and leadership skills gained through the program, they advocate for themselves and their peers at the local and State level by speaking at legislative hearings, participating in protests, and presenting at conferences.
Our Team
Introducing our incredible adult allies at ProjectWHAT! Oscar, our Program Manager, is dedicated to empowering youth through programming. Lhaga, the San Francisco Program Coordinator, brings a wealth knowledge and enthusiasm to our initiatives. We’re also thrilled to have Jakaela, our Alameda County Program Coordinator, who is not only a passionate advocate for mission but also a proud alumna of ProjectWHAT!. Together, they make a fantastic team, driving positive change in our communities.
