Hijos del Sol Mentorship ProgramAt — Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions
Service-learning students participating in the Mentorship Labs are invited to contribute
in active and responsible ways, which may include:
Designing and facilitating creative labs or activities
Supporting youth during hands-on making and exploration
Assisting with material preparation and studio setup
Engaging in reflective practice before and after labs
Participating in documentation or group discussion when appropriate
Students are encouraged to bring their academic interests, creative skills, and curiosity
into the studio, while remaining attentive to the community context and responsive to
the needs of youth participants.
Program Flexibility and Collaboration
Participation in the Mentorship Labs is structured to be flexible, adaptable, and
respectful of each participant’s schedule. Hijos del Sol provides a set of available studio
days and time blocks from which service-learning students may choose, based on their
academic commitments and personal availability.
Labs may be facilitated as single sessions or as continuous labs, allowing participants
to return and build upon the same project over time. Depending on preference and
scheduling, labs may be designed as shorter sessions (such as one-hour blocks) or
extended engagements of up to four hours.
Lab scope, scheduling, and level of involvement are coordinated collaboratively to align
with academic requirements, studio capacity, and community needs, while allowing
participants meaningful flexibility in how they engage.
Visibility, Reflection, and Professional Growth
Hijos del Sol is committed to highlighting and amplifying the work of mentors and
service-learning participants. Labs and creative processes may be documented and
shared through studio platforms, exhibitions, or community-facing programming. This
visibility supports reflection, professional growth, and connection with broader creative
and educational networks.
Through participation in the Mentorship Labs, service-learning students may gain:
Experience facilitating creative, youth-centered learning environments
Exposure to non-traditional, community-based education models
Development of leadership, communication, and adaptability skills
Insight into social, cultural, and creative dynamics within the community
Valuable hands-on skills working alongside East Side of Salinas youth,
strengthening awareness, connection, and real-world collaboration
A deeper understanding of learning as a shared and relational process
When appropriate, labs may become part of Hijos del Sol’s annual exhibitions or public
programming, allowing students to see their contributions situated within a broader
community narrative.
For additional information, collaboration inquiries, or coordination related to service-
learning participation, please contact Hijos del Sol. We welcome continued conversation
and look forward to exploring how this framework can support meaningful learning,
creative exchange, and community engagement.