Tri-City

Directing Change is an evaluated suicide prevention and mental health program with the mission to educate young people about critical health topics through art and promote social justice and health by changing conversations in schools and communities.
Monthly Art and Film Contest
  • Open to youth ages 12-25
  • Deadline: April 30, 2023
  • Free to participate
  • All TikToks that follow the guidelines receive a $20 gift card and are entered to win a $200 grand prize!
  • April TikTok Challenge: This month, create art, films or write about the actions young people can take to improve and support the world we live in. Get inspired at: earthday.org/earth-day-2023.
  • Use these vertical endslates for your TikTok submissions: White Endslate / Black Endslate

For more information, view the monthly prompt page.
Enter your work here

April Monthly Prompt:
Celebrate Earth Day

TikTok Challenge

Submission Categories: Hope, Justice, or Monthly Prompt


Submit to Contest
Annual Film Contest
  • Open to Middle, High School and College Students (12-25)
  • Deadline: March 1, 2023
  • Free to participate
  • Cash prizes for youth (up to $1000)
  • Regional winners advance to statewide round of judging
  • Award Ceremony in May

Submission Categories


  • Suicide Prevention
  • Mental Health
  • Through the Lens of Culture
  • Walk in Our Shoes
  • Animated Short
  • Hope and Justice

“Hidden Hurt”


The School of Arts and Enterprise

Filmmakers: Jupiter Peraza, Elizabeth (Lilly)


News and Awards

Tri-City Youth Place in February Hope & Justice Contest

February’s Hope & Justice contest asked youth to share how they are “More Than One,” reflecting on how they’re living beyond labels, how they find strength when they feel alone, and their hopes for increased representation in the future. Congratulations to the youth from Tri-City who placed in the contest!

Feeling inspired? Check-out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

View the full list of February winners across California here.


Tri-City Youth Place in January Hope & Justice Contest

January’s Hope & Justice contest asked youth to reflect on their hopes for 2023 and the changes they want to see in themselves and their communities. Congratulations to the youth from Tri-City who placed in the contest! Feeling inspired? Check-out more Hope and Justice art submissions and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

  • Third Place (Tie) Monthly Prompt: “New Year, New Me” by Kaylani Raxajack, Claremont High School
  • Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “The Hopeful Year” by Abby Villanueva, Claremont High School
  • Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “Character Over Stereotypes” by Ibraheem Hammado, Claremont High School
  • Second Place Hope and Justice: “Puma-22” by Simon Rockwell, Claremont High School
  • Third Place (Tie) Hope and Justice: “Adopting Hope” by Charlotte Griffiths, Claremont High School

View the full list of January winners across California here.


Tri-City School Receives Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Mini Grant

Marshall Middle School in Tri-City has been selected to receive a grant through the Directing Change Program for the 2022-2023 school year. The school will receive support from the Directing Change team to teach lessons on mental health and suicide prevention and to facilitate the creation of youth-produced short films on these topics. At the end of the year, they will host an event to screen their films and share resources around youth mental health and suicide prevention. Congratulations to Marshall Middle School!