Riverside County

Featured Art

“Book Bans”

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Valley View High School

Artwork by: Shayla Luong

“It’s absolutely outrageous to me that books and information can be banned. Oftentimes, these books are labeled as ‘inappropriate’ as a way to justify silencing them.”

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Mini Grant Application Due October 10th

Mini Grant Opportunity! Schools and organizations are invited to apply for Directing Change mini grants this program year. Mini grant teams receive up to $1,500 and commit to creating 5 films for the Directing Change Program, teaching at least one lesson on suicide prevention or mental health, and hosting a student-led event in which their youth films are shared. 

Apply here by October 10th: http://youthcreatingchange.org/2026-mini-grant-application

Riverside County Youth Place in April Hope & Justice Contest

Our April contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope); the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice); and the “Mental Health Thrival Tips” that help them when they feel anxious and overwhelmed.

Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Riverside County youth.

• Second Place Hope & Justice: “Voices for Justice” by Samantha Camacho
• Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “Breathe” by Preslee Hart and Kenzie Hart

View the full list of April winners across California here.

Riverside County’s Directing Change Screening and Recognition Ceremony

Join Riverside County’s Screening and Recognition Ceremony! The event will honor Riverside County submissions to the Directing Change Film Contest, which raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Student participants, friends, family, and school staff are welcome to join.

Date: Thursday, May 15th, 2025
Time: 4pm
Location: Fox Performing Arts Center
3801 Mission Inn Ave
Riverside, CA 92501
Attire: Semi-Formal

Learn more and register in advance here.

Riverside County Students Recognized for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements

Youth Creating Change announced the regional finalists in its 13th annual Directing Change Film Contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health.

• First Place Suicide Prevention (Region 2): “Capture a Life”
• Second Place Suicide Prevention (Region 2): “Future Self”
• Third Place Suicide Prevention (Region 2): “I Bet You Didn’t Know”
• Second Place Mental Health (Region 2): “Under Pressure”
• Third Place Mental Health – Tie (Region 2): “Forward”
• First Place Hope & Justice (Statewide): “I Love Your Hair.”
• Second Place Through the Lens of Culture (Statewide): “Behind the Curtain”
• Fifth Place Animated Short (Statewide): “The Weight of Words”

In addition to the films above, numerous other fantastic films from Riverside County also received “Honorable Mention” in their respective categories. View all 2025 winning films here.

Riverside County Youth Place in February Hope & Justice Contest

Our February contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope); the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice); and the “anchors” that remind them to stay hopeful (Monthly Prompt). 

Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Riverside County youth.

• Second Place Hope & Justice: “I Love Your Hair” by Marilyn Sanders
• Third Place Hope & Justice: “Book Bans” by Shayla Luong

View the full list of February winners across California here.

Riverside County Youth Place in January Hope & Justice Contest

Our January contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope); the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice); and sharing the uplifting power of music and its relationship to mental health (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Riverside County youth.

• Second Place Monthly Prompt (Original Music): “In the Present” by Natalia Mata
• Third Place Monthly Prompt (Original Music):  “GRYZZ” by Christian Moreno
• Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “Musical Escape” by Shayla Luong

View the full list of January winners across California here.

Riverside County Youth Place in November Hope & Justice Contest

Our November contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope); the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice); and reflecting on where they come from, the circumstances and people that have shaped them, or what is in the stars for their future (Monthly Prompt). November’s prompt also promoted the Soluna App by asking youth to submit special entries highlight the app and helping share information about the ways young people can benefit from using it. 

Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Riverside County youth.

• Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “If I Could Fly” by Denisse Munoz

View the full list of November winners across California here.

Riverside County Youth Place in October Hope & Justice Contest

Our October contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and exploring how they’ve been taking care of their mental health during the election, as well as what representation in elected leaders means to them (Monthly Prompt). 

Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Riverside County youth.

• First Place Justice: “Monkey” by Londyn White
• Honorable Mention Hope: “What Gives You Hope?” by Peyton Shirk

View the full list of October winners across California here.

Riverside County Youth Place in September Hope & Justice Contest

Our September contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and reminding us that we are never a bother and can always reach out for help (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Check-out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Riverside County youth.

• Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “Two Birds on a Wire” by Shayla, Valley View High School, Riverside County

View the full list of September winners across California here.

Riverside County Schools Receive Suicide Prevention Mini Grants

Five schools and youth-based clubs from Riverside County have been selected to receive a grant through the Directing Change Mini Grant Program this year. Each team will work with youth in their communities to teach lessons on mental health and suicide prevention and support youth as they create short films on these topics. These grantees will also be hosting events at the end of the school year to share the films and raise awareness in their communities around youth mental health and suicide prevention. Congratulations to this year’s grantees!