WELCOME
ARTS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
Improving the lives of children, families, and communities through the arts.
About Us
Arts for a Better Tomorrow (ABT) brings an alternative rehabilitative and therapeutic arts-based program like no other in North America. ABT has undertaken the challenge to positively impact the lives of underprivileged youth through the arts in a unique format devised by actor and director José Yenque. He saw a need to address the transition into adulthood of abandoned youth, using the arts as tools to help them overcome traumas and learning barriers. Thus, ABT is ensuring that they are better prepared for life. ABT gained nonprofit status in 2014, but for 12 years prior, it had been running successful independent and privately funded programs in Southern California and Baja California.
IMPACT
Meet Jorge - 16 yrs. old
I learned so much from Arts for a Better Tomorrow; about myself and realized that I can always pick myself up after I fall and keep going. That falling is alright, and I can’t be too hard on myself. I use it to move forward a stronger man for my family and me.
“ABT opened my eyes when I didn’t want to open them anymore because of all the bad things I have seen and been through.”
I want to introduce the younger kids in my neighborhood to the tools I learned through acting. So they can help me to change my neighborhood into a better place that is safer than what it is now. Arts for a Better Tomorrow opened my eyes when I didn’t want to open them anymore because of all the bad things I have seen and been through. ABT helped me feel what was going on inside me, my emotions. I found out it is OK to feel, to cry, and let it out; that is what makes me a man that I can know I have feelings and want to do something about it. So I don’t go down the wrong path like my father did. And now, my little brother and sister want to take the classes. Even my mom too! Thank you, and I can’t wait to be a teacher with ABT. I will go to college and study psychology.
Why is it important?
ABT serves underprivileged youth in Los Angeles, Tijuana, and San Diego. The majority of Tijuana student participants reside in orphanages or remote and disadvantaged areas. Los Angeles and San Diego-based students attend underfunded inner-city schools, with little access to emotional wellness or enrichment programs. Our target populations frequently come from environments of abuse, neglect, poverty, violence, and homelessness. Without intervention and positive alternatives, ABT students are at risk of failing and falling into destructive behaviors and activities. Through our specialized art programs, youth DISCOVER, ACCEPT, and LOVE who they are, as they are.
our method
Art for a Better Tomorrow has rehabilitative and therapeutic arts-based programs like no other in North America.
ABT has undertaken the challenge to positively impact the lives of underprivileged youth through the arts in a unique format devised by actor and director José Yenque. He saw a need to address the transition into adulthood of abandoned youth, using the arts as tools to help them overcome traumas and learning barriers. Thus, ABT is ensuring that they are better prepared for life.
HEAL
Therapeutic programs for youth in crisis help create safety, love, and belonging in a positive, nurturing environment.
INSPIRE
Arts education for youth moving through a crisis. Redirects youth onto a positive life path by building artistic, creative, and crucial life skills.
EMPOWER
College/Career readiness. Provide tools and resources to launch ABT students into college or trade school. One-on-one mentorship to help guide youth in school until graduation.
our programs
ABT trauma-informed programs use the arts, combined with resilience-building elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness to help address issues that include:
ABT programs also include:
Join US
Become One Of Our Growing Family Of Volunteers.
A group of skilled artists, educators, and university student interns from the United States and Mexico help facilitate ABT workshops and programming. Want to become part of the team? Or Do you like to cooperate in some form or donation? We like to know about you!
Join The Team
Contribute TO ABT
Your Contribution To ABT Will Make A Powerful Difference.
Your gift today helps Arts for a Better Tomorrow harness the transformational power of the arts to provide young people with life skills, healing tools, academic preparation, and a strategic path toward a healthy, productive, and self-sustaining future.
Latest Posts
Nuestra Tele Internacional Reports About Flowers Behind The Mountain
Nuetra Tele Internacional reported on the reading of “Flowers Behind The Mountain.” The virtual event was held on October 9 at 9 pm by a group of Hispanic actors from Hollywood and New York. The event coincided with the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. It was intended to raise funds for Arts for a Better Tomorrow.
Arts for a Better Tomorrow (ABT) and Cylentium Inc. Announce Its Power House Partnership
Cylentium’s Zero Identity Cyber Invisibility technology will help protect disadvantaged youth, and will raise funding and together launch ABT’s new laptop program.
An actor who helps shape representation of Latinos in the media and a cybersecurity company have formed a dynamic powerhouse partnership that will greatly benefit youths in underserved communities who routinely face traumatic experiences as a way of life.
Meet Jorge
UPDATE: Jorge is now 19 yrs old and very active as part of ABT’s Youth program development and Outreach. He co-teaches ABT’s acting and filmmaking workshops and is a mentor. “I start my university studies next year in psychology and will continue to work with ABT making films that tell stories to help inspire youth. Emotional health is still important. My neighborhood continues to have violence and drug use/selling issues and…