Our Mission

DESTINY (De-Escalation Skills Training Inspiring Nonviolence in Youth) Arts Center exists to end isolation, prejudice and violence in the lives of young people.

Founded in 1988, Destiny’s mission is to address the direct correspondence of increasing crime and violence to the declining existence of safe, accessible after-school activities in Oakland. Today, healthy environments, safe spaces, basic resources, positive role models, and creative pursuits, continue to be visibly absent elements in the Oakland neighborhoods we serve. The entrenched frustration, depression and tension of our youth are palpable.

Our research has identified isolation and prejudice as key social issues that intensify unresolved feelings of anger, despair and aggression. Our award-winning martial and performing arts programs and published violence prevention methodology represent twenty years of directly addressing these issues, and assisting young people (age 3-18) to learn to react positively and nonviolently to negative stimuli.

Through participating in our programs, the youth of our area are exposed to lessons of respect for themselves and others. Violence prevention and conflict resolution are the very core of our award winning, and highly-recognized performance company, and Destiny Arts Center’s highly-decorated Martial Arts program and Tournament team.
Our programs are offered during critical after-school, weekend and summer hours when youth are habitually exposed to violence and destructive lifestyle choices. Destiny Arts Center functions as a forum for youth to explore, express and reshape daily challenges through physical, emotional and creative growth.

Stemming from the knowledge that anger and violence are not inexorably linked, DAC curriculum teaches youth to consciously differentiate emotion and reaction, and choose healthy responses to de-escalate volatile situations. Early integration of a physically and emotionally expressive body helps our youngest children actively reduce the need to provoke or react to violence.

We document many instances of young participants who, though initially skeptical, utilized our strategies in real-life situations, transforming them into strong and vocal advocates for non-violence in their communities and beyond. Children’s feelings of safety and self worth add to their long-term cognitive, social, emotional and physical development, inspiring them toward long-term, effective participation in school and community.