On Nov. 30, the Center for Political Education on Valencia Street hosted “Hobos to Street people: Artists’ Responses to Homelessness.”
The event featured artists and activists presenting on the various intersections of art and homelessness. Among those presenting were representatives from Roaddawgz, an organization that works directly with young, homeless artists.
Roaddawgz, which provides a creative drop-in center for homeless youth, brought young artists to speak about the center and display their original artwork.
The center was developed by a group of homeless youth in 2000 to serve a population that has historically lacked welcoming safe spaces, especially creative ones.
“Every single place in the city has the same rules, they make the space restrictive from the start,” said “David”, a Roaddawgz participant. “Here it’s really flowing, [It’s] a creative space that gives and brings influence. It builds something: a place of belonging and a place to do our art.”
Unlike a typical drop-in center, Roaddawgz does not require youth to fill out intake forms, and has a more creative, arts based focus.
“Kelly” is one of the program participants.
“The first time I went to Roaddawgz, it was my birthday,” “Kelly” said. “I walked in and instead of being asked for intake forms, I was asked if I wanted to be in an art show.”
Machiko Saito, the director of the center, said that she and her colleagues try to provide a non-judgmental environment for participants.
“A lot of our folks can’t conform to society,” she said. “I say, ‘be yourself.’”
According to Larkin Street Youth Services it is estimated that each year approximately 2 million youth are homeless in the United States. In San Francisco alone, an estimated 5,700 youth are homeless and/or marginally housed annually.
Roaddawgz seeks to end homelessness, and reduce the rate of homeless youth incarceration, hospitalization and preventable deaths—and to do so in an entirely unique manner.
Saito said that while the room is primarily an art space, lots of things happen there.
“We frequently have dance breaks,” she said, suddenly playing a song from her computer and dancing with the young artists.