2025 Impact Report
Upward Together
In 2025, Upward Together continued to bloom in purpose and impact, bringing art, mindfulness, and creative expression into schools and communities across Southern California.
Through hands-on workshops, educator partnerships, and community activations, we expanded our work supporting emotional well-being, creative confidence, and meaningful connection.
We are deeply grateful to our teaching artists, partners, funders, and participants who made this year possible.
Community + Field Leadership
Upward Together remains actively connected to the broader arts and healing justice field.
• Continued participation in the Arts for Healing and Justice Network (AHJN)
• Collaboration with schools, community organizations, and educators across Southern California
• Contribution to conversations around creative wellbeing, trauma-informed arts education, and youth voice
Through these relationships, Upward Together contributes to a growing movement that recognizes the role of the arts in healing, emotional wellbeing, and community resilience.
2025 Impact at a Glance
800+ youth and adults served
7 teaching artists leading programs
3 school districts engaged
Dozens of creative workshops delivered
1 student art exhibition showcasing youth voices
Organizational Milestones
2025 marked a year of growth and innovation for Upward Together.
Key milestones included:
• Continued membership in the Arts for Healing and Justice Network
• Launch of Calm Class, our digital Social Emotional Learning AI coach designed to support educators with practical classroom regulation tools
• Expansion of our teaching team to seven dedicated teaching artists
• Development of new partnerships across education, mental health, and community wellness sectors
These milestones strengthened our ability to deliver programs that support both creative exploration and emotional wellbeing.
Education + School-Based Impact
Schools remained at the heart of our work.
This year we partnered with educators to bring art and mindfulness practices into classrooms and school communities.
Highlights include:
• Professional development workshops provided to educators in three school districts
• Weekly art programming at Torch Middle School and across Whittier City schools
• Our first student art show at Torch Middle School, featuring nearly 60 student artworks
• Youth artwork included in the No Boundaries Art Show in Pasadena
• Workshops delivered through The Expression Lab at Pasadena City College
Supporting Educators and Students During Crisis
In response to the fires impacting Pasadena and Altadena communities, Upward Together provided art and mindfulness support for educators and students through:
• Care Camp
• Reopen, Restore, Rebuild, and Rise
These programs offered creative outlets and emotional support during a time of recovery and rebuilding.
Community Programs + Partnerships
Upward Together also expanded its presence through community partnerships and public programming.
Highlights include:
• Family art sessions in Westwood Village
• Partnership with Project Fatherhood at Capo Center
• Creative activations for the LASPN Youth Advisory Board Meeting
• Workshops delivered in Long Beach and Visalia at the Wellness Benefit Fair for Child Care Providers Conference
These programs created spaces where families, youth, and educators could gather, reflect, and create together.
Impact Outcomes
Through our programs, educators and students experienced meaningful shifts in classroom climate and creative engagement.
Educators Reported
• Increased classroom calm
• Improved student focus and smoother classroom transitions
• Stronger emotional expression through art-based activities
Students Demonstrated
• Increased creative confidence
• New tools for emotional expression and reflection
• Deeper engagement in classroom learning and creative exploration
How We Measure Impact
Upward Together collects impact data through multiple feedback and observation methods that help us understand how our programs support student and educator wellbeing.
We gather insights through:
• Educator feedback surveys following workshops and classroom programs
• Student reflections and creative responses during art activities
• Observations from teaching artists during classroom sessions
• Participant testimonials and video feedback
These tools help us understand how art and mindfulness practices support emotional wellbeing, creative confidence, and classroom engagement.
Participant Voices
Students participating in our programs shared reflections about how art helps them express themselves and feel more connected.
A short video featuring student feedback can be viewed here:
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, Upward Together is expanding its work through:
• Calm Class, a digital platform supporting educators with accessible social-emotional tools
• Continued school and community partnerships
• Expanded art and mindfulness programming across California
Our goal is to continue creating spaces where creativity, emotional wellbeing, and community connection can flourish.
Gratitude
None of this work would be possible without the dedication of our:
• teaching artists
• partner organizations
• funders
• volunteers
• educators
• students and families
Thank you for helping Upward Together grow.