CLAYDD is a Non-Profit Organization committed to empowering youth with mental health differences, disabilities, and foster youth. We are a group of educators, artists and healers collectively inspiring learners and organizations through educational programs centered around mindfulness, meditation, and the healing qualities of CLAY. We believe in facilitating therapeutic safe spaces and the impact clay has in cultivating connection, community, and creativity.
CLAYDD is a group of educators and artists working together to empower learners.
OUR MISSION
CLAYDD provides safe, accessible clay-based programming for youth with mental health differences, disabilities, and youth in foster care or impacted by the justice system. Through creativity and emotional regulation, we help reduce recidivism and build stronger connections for youth, families, and communities across Los Angeles and Riverside County.
OUR VISION
Our vision is that all youth have inclusive and accessible environments to create and connect in. Youth of all abilities and backgrounds can freely express themselves through art, feel celebrated for their creations, and build a deep sense of belonging. By integrating clay play, creative expression, emotional regulation, and meditation into schools and communities, we aim to nurture safe spaces that strengthen family connections and empathy, empowering young people to share their individual stories as vital contributions to the community at large.
OUR IMPACT
There are over 70,000 students with disabilities enrolled in LAUSD with a graduation rate of 77.8% according to the CA Department of Education and LAUSD. If nothing changes, our Special Education departments will be under resourced and the students won’t get the attention they truly need. What’s possible in the future with access to art and healing is that students will thrive at home and in school, graduate being proud of their creativity, and continue to express themselves and share their unique story for the rest of their lives.
CLAYDD has impacted 2,034 people between 2022-2026 and continues to contribute to students daily.
OUR VALUES
☆ INCLUSIVITY
☆ COMPASSION
☆ CREATIVITY
☆ SUSTAINABILITY
☆ ACCESSIBILITY
☆ COMMUNITY
☆ FAMILY
OUR PARTNERS
The Arts for Healing and Justice Network (AHJN) is a formally structured collaboration, legally organized to support its member organizations. Serving as the coordinator for a grassroots variation on the collective impact model, we promote partnership among community-based arts organizations and between the Network and other public/private partners. AHJN has served as the coordinating and convening body for this work since 2012 and we are the only arts collaborative for youth experiencing incarceration in California.
AHJN’s Mission serves system-impacted youth in Los Angeles County in order to provide alternatives to incarceration, build resiliency and wellness, increase community health, eliminate recidivism, and center arts as a change strategy for young people, communities, and systems.
☆ Aligned Values ☆ Collaborative, Diverse Partners ☆ Active, Intentional Participation ☆ Leveraged, Collective Resources ☆ Commitment to Sustainable Practices ☆ Ongoing Commitment to Youth Development ☆ Healing Community Spaces ☆ Collective Voice for Change ☆ Strategic Resource Development
MEET THE TEAM
Moises Amezcua, Director of Programming
Moises Amezcua is the Founder and Director of Programming at CLAYDD, where he leads the design of creative wellness initiatives rooted in education and community engagement. With a background in psychology and over 10 years of working in education and special education, he brings expertise in program development and inclusive practices.
Maya Fuhr, Director of Arts + Photography
Maya Fuhr is an award-winning visual artist based in Los Angeles. Known for her surreal, tactile approach to photography and film, Fuhr’s work explores materiality, emotion and the intersections between art and healing. Her projects have been featured in LA Times Photo, Vogue Italia, The Fader, Dazed and Editorial Magazine and her work has been exhibited internationally . As CLAYDD’s Founder and Director of Art and Photography, she leads visual storytelling initiatives that merge artistic expression with community well-being.
Bryan Munguia, Head Curator
Working as a London-based contemporary art curator, mediator, and writer.
My curatorial practice currently engages with phenomenology, technology, and theatricality through conceptual exhibition-making.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Juan Espinoza Secretary, Lawyer + Storyteller
Gabrielle Clay Artist + Disability Advocate
Thalia Henao Director of the Board, Advocate + Storyteller
Francesca Carbonneau Educator + Artist
Sabeerah Najee Artist + Disability Advocate
Founding Board Member: Adrianne Toomey
TEACHING ARTISTS & HEALERS
Ali Ungaro, Healer Michael Fireborn, Healer Harry Bui, Healer Kari Cowell, Healer Bianca Harris, Healer Seb Schiff, Artist Teacher Lizette Padilla, Artist Teacher Josephine Lee, Artist Teacher Aida Lugo, Artist Teacher Esther Nicole Ochoa, Artist Teacher Peter Kalisch, Artist Teacher Joshua Bubar, Artist Teacher Sarah Rosenbaum, Artist Teacher Daniela Flores-Rodriguez, Artist Teacher Emma Chawkins, Artist Teacher Rose Yao, Artist Teacher Hannah Markovic, Artist Teacher Ray McInteyre, Artist Teacher Monica Juarez, Artist Teacher Sam Letscher, Artist Teacher Bianca Macpherson, Artist Teacher Ife Ajibola, Mental Health Nurse
