MENTAL HEALTH + CIVIL RIGHTS
Mentally healthy people support each others’ civil rights.
Systemic social change must include relatable and accessible mental health support, including teaching young people:
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Healthy identity, empathy, resilience, and nonviolent conflict resolution
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How to become allies for targets
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Emotion management: navigating depression, anxiety, loneliness, fear, shame, and self-doubt
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Self-care and safety while working for change
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To uproot the toxic infrastructure and causes of racism, misogyny, LGBTQIA inequity, disability inequity, and other forms of injustice
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Tools to create inclusion, empathy, and equity
In addition to our programs in YMCA of the USA and schools, we create Heroic Journey mental health programs — for youth in marginalized and at-risk communities, as well as for youth working for justice.
Scroll down for wonder women you’ll recognize, Wonder Woman at the UN, and youth becoming superheroes — in real life!
COALITION hosts WOMEN’S MARCH + TEEN VOGUE at the UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
The Coalition partnered with UNA San Diego to create Closing the Gender Gap in Entertainment: Systemic Social Change Through Media at UNCSW.
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Coalition Founder Chase Masterson produced and moderated this unprecedented event in the intersection of pop culture + social justice, featuring
Teen Vogue Editor Lauren Duca
Women’s March on Washington Co-Chair Carmen Perez
Standing Rock Activist Joanne Spotted Bear with Fellow Panelists:
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Women’s March National Co-Chair Carmen Perez
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Teen Vogue Editor Lauren Duca
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Comics icon Gail Simone • Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Birds of Prey
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Co-Founder Carrie Goldman • Author, Harper Collins’ Bullied
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Dr. Janina Scarlet • Psychologist; Neuroscientist; Author, Superhero Therapy
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Jennifer K. Stuller • Geek Girl Con Founder
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Bettina Hausmann • UN Association San Diego President
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The groundbreaking event was a success, leading to Chase moderating a panel for UN Association San Diego at UNCSW 2018.
WONDER WOMAN:
UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL AMBASSADORSHIP
Chase Masterson introduced DC Entertainment to the United Nations Department of Public Information for the purpose of Wonder Woman becoming a Global UN Ambassador.
Although the Ambassadorship was protested by some who felt that a fictional character should not have that honor, the Ambassadorship accomplished several of Pop Culture Hero Coalition’s goals: to educate, empower, and mobilize countless young people for resilience, inclusion, and human rights, by using stories that are relatable to them.
WOMEN’S MARCH CONVENTION
The Women’s March on Washington team asked Chase to create the Children’s Programming (0-12 years) for their Convention in Detroit. Children’s activities included:
Human rights art projects
A children’s social justice library and activities for marginalized and bullied children
Community-building activities
UN ASSOCIATION SAN DIEGO ELEANOR ROOSEVELT AWARD
Coalition Curriculum Co-Creator Dr. Janina Scarlet was honored with the chapter’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award.
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Coalition Curriculum Co-Creator Dr. Janina Scarlet with UN Women Assistant Secretary General Lakshmi Puri.
HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES
Since 2008, Chase has volunteered at Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest intervention program for formerly gang-involved and incarcerated youth. Work includes getting clients mental health support, substance abuse treatment, housing, and jobs, as well as arranging for holiday gifts and free YMCA summer camp for Homeboy children.
Chase has also arranged for the children of Homeboy to receive Toys for Tots, which allow Homeboy parents to further bond with their kids, while further separating themselves from their former lives. Many Homies have recently gotten their kids back from foster care, or are newly able to visit their children in foster care. These toys are a major bonding tool, helping break the cycle of hopelessness for the next generation.
