Help Us Keep the Arts Accessible This Summer

In this heartfelt letter, Camp Director Cybele Neiman Peña reflects on the joy our camps bring to young people, the funding challenges we face, and the extraordinary fifth grader who inspired us not to give up.

Hello Beloved Community,

The arts are a vital part of helping our communities thrive, and it is truly devastating to see so many arts programs on the chopping block. We know you understand how important arts education is, and that’s why we’re reaching out today.

For the past four years, Bocón and Roots and Wings Global Arts have proudly received funding through the Level Up Grant, allowing us to provide hundreds of San Diego Unified students with free, high-quality summer arts camps. Year after year, our camps filled to capacity and generated incredible feedback from youth and families.

These camps became places where young people found confidence in their self-expression, built lasting friendships, discovered new passions, and returned summer after summer to continue growing.

This year, we are heartbroken to learn that the Level Up program was discontinued.

Like many arts organizations across San Diego, we lost the funding that helped make these opportunities possible. While this setback is significant, we are not giving up. We remain committed to serving young people through the arts and will still be offering three camps this summer.

Recently, I was reminded why this work matters so much.

As I travel throughout San Diego Unified teaching dance, one of my students inspired me in a way I will never forget.

Meet Kate Witter, a fifth grader with a big heart and an even bigger vision.

For her fifth-grade exhibition project, Kate chose to focus on the power of dance in her own life. After overhearing classmates express disappointment that the Level Up program had ended, she decided she wanted to do something about it.

Without being asked, Kate turned the action component of her project into a fundraiser. She organized a lemonade and baked goods sale to help ensure other children would still have access to summer camp.

Through her own determination, creativity, and generosity, Kate raised more than $500—enough to provide two full camp scholarships for young artists this summer.

We were completely inspired by her leadership, compassion, and initiative.

Kate reminded us that you are never too young to make a difference. She showed us what it means to be an entrepreneur, a self-starter, a community builder, and a philanthropist.

In honor of her incredible contribution, we are proud to establish the Kate Witter Scholarship Fund.

Today, we have a growing list of hopeful families whose children have participated in our camps in the past and would love to return this summer. With your help, we can ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of their creativity, confidence, and joy.

Will you join Kate in helping more young people experience the power of the arts?

Your donation will help provide camp scholarships and create the joyful, supportive, and inspiring experiences that every child deserves.

Every donation is tax-deductible, and every dollar goes directly toward supporting youth this summer.

Together, we can make sure more young artists have a place to belong, create, and thrive.

With gratitude,

Cybele Nieman Peña Camp Director

Bocón & Roots and Wings Global Arts

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