This Is Our Story

CEMELLE was not created out of ease, but out of necessity. CEMELLE is a response to the dreams, hopes, and struggles that shaped our own lived experiences. It was created by a community who intimately understands what it means to be first-generation, undocumented, stereotyped, and tokenized. We carry these realities with us, not as burdens, but as truths that motivate our passions and purpose.

Because of where we come from and how we look, we have faced barriers of broken systems, schools that were not built for us, and courts that have punished us. We have felt the weight of poverty, racism, and incarceration in our families and communities. These are not just personal struggles, they are part of larger systems meant to hold us back. That is why we have come together. To create something different.

Cemelle is a non-profit organization that seeks to ensure that all Latinx/e/a/o youth have access to education affected by the juvenile justice system. Rooted in the Nahuatl word meaning unity, we build community, foster critical thinking, promote civic engagement, and enhance identity development. 

We focus on providing youth transformative education, culturally relevant programming, mentorship, community engagement opportunities, and pathways towards post-secondary education. 

By creating a community capable of un solo moviemento, a single movement toward justice, healing, and transformation for all, we will reduce our youth's recidivism rates, increase high school graduation and post-secondary enrollment, and uplift our youth to take control of their futures. 

This is more than a non-profit. It is a movement. A home. A vision of unity where no one is left behind. With community and alliance at our core.