One of the most rewarding – and just plain coolest – things about the type of work I’ve done professionally is seeing past students and youth grow up and come into their own, particularly when those individuals choose to do something meaningful.

My company, Think Ten Media Group, has a digital arts division called Generation Arts, which grew out of the film classes my husband and I began doing when we ran the SCV Film Festival. Through that work, we also began doing programs at Newhall Elementary School, and for awhile, we ran a comprehensive after-school program there. I enjoyed running the program and also nurturing high school students who would work with us at that program and at our SCVFF summer camps through the City of Santa Clarita’s YES program.

One of those former YES participants went on to help watch our first son when he was just a baby. The student is now at COC and is quite involved with the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force on campus.

I am pleased to share a bit about their upcoming event this Friday as part of their ongoing goal to raise awareness about the universal right to education and the need to ensure the right for all children worldwide.

In celebration of the idea that education is a basic human right and to show gratitude for our local schools and solidarity with children who do not have access to safe schools, the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force will host the “Trees of Knowledge and Thanksgiving Art Project” on Friday, Nov. 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library (18601 Soledad Canyon Road) for children, students and parents of all ages.

The event will consist of a short program about the campaign, followed by a hands-on art project dedicated to creating trees of “Knowledge and Thanksgiving,” which will be displayed at the SCV Education Foundation’s Arts and Literacy Festival on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Now, with a 2- and 4 year-old, most of my professional work is work that can be done at home so  I can be with my little ones. I know this is the right choice for my family right now. Yet, I do miss working with youth on a daily basis – which is why I love getting messages and notes from former students, especially when they are sharing their current involvement with projects such as this.

What makes you smile? Tell me on Twitter (@IndieJenFischer) hashtags: #smile at The Good Long Road on Facebook. And if you are a former student of mine, pop over and tell me what you’re up to now. I’d love to know.

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.