Vision
Loco Bloco Participants become strong and courageous leaders who inspire and impact change in the organization, the community, and the world.

Misssion
Loco Bloco is a youth development organization with the mission of promoting Bay Area youth's healthy transition into adulthood by engaging them in the creation and performance of music, dance and theater traditions reflecting the cultural diversity of the Americas.

Description:
Since Loco Bloco's inception more than 6,000 young people have been involved in its afterschool programs and community performances. Throughout Loco Bloco’s 14 years of theater arts education, it has been noted that the majority of our students are youth who constantly fail in academic and school settings and for whom the performing arts provide the only space in which they are successful and celebrated for their personalities and talents.

The cultural void that has developed as a result of the loss of support for in-school arts programs has fostered powerlessness, disenfranchisement, identity loss, and aimless violence. Central to the Loco Bloco’s purpose and programming is the use of the arts as a tool for the empowerment of youth of color to overcome injustice; to adopt healthy, active lifestyles; to contribute positively to and serve as leaders in their communities; and to embrace ethnic and cultural diversity.

Loco Bloco’s purpose and vision is rooted in two deeply-held beliefs: 1) that working directly with professional artists has a tremendous impact on youth and 2) that involvement in the arts can be instrumental in assisting youth of color to understand and overcome discrimination. Each year we enroll 220 children and youth in our afterschool classes, produce five events, and support approximately 40 separate community and civic performances by the Teen Ensemble and young adult Performance Ensemble.

Our programs incorporate social, artistic and physical goals, encouraging youth to perceive themselves as direct contributors to their neighborhood’s cultural wellness and social vitality. Providing youth with musical knowledge and skills open up many opportunities and experiences that would not otherwise be available to them.

History:
Loco Bloco was founded in 1994 by artists and activists of color, as a response to the ever growing funding cuts of arts programs in schools. Loco Bloco’s goal then and now is to provide low-income minority and immigrant families access to professional level arts education as a means to support the advancement and uplifting of San Francisco youth.

Annual reductions in State funding for education have had a deep and destructive impact on the arts and music programs in California schools. Most inner city public schools have long ago lost funding to continue quality performing arts departments.
Our programs address an enormous need in disadvantaged communities for culturally relevant arts education.
Loco Bloco provides afterschool classes in the theater arts, music, and dance in Bayview Hunters Point, Visitation Valley, and the Mission District schools and community centers, like the Boys and Girls Clubs, at no cost. Loco Bloco students are offered opportunities to perform at different community events. Each year Loco Bloco’s Teen Ensemble and Performing Ensemble (teens and young adults) are invited to perform in over 40 arts, cultural, civic and community events. Additionally Loco Bloco students are involved in the creation of the self-produced International Women’s Day, New Works Concert, and performances in the San Francisco Carnaval and Pride Parades.

Contact people:

June LaBarre, Marketing Director, (phone), (email) Aleks Zavaleta, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Christina Allen, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 864-5626
Office fax number: (415) 864-5627

Address:

3543 18th Street, #20 San Francisco, CA 94110 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.locobloco.org

Directions:

Loco Bloco is located on the fourth floor in the Women's Building which is located in the Mission District between Valencia and Guerrero.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 16th Street BART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10 min.   Nearest Bus Stop: 49 Mission Van Ness, 5 minutes minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	13 years of age
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes