PFF Blog News- All About Youth Voice!

Driving Social Change

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:36:00 +0000

Adam Fletcher: Youth Engagement and Personal Engagement

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:24:00 +0000

Human engagement specialist Adam Fletcher introduces the connection between the practices of youth work, youth voice, youth engagement, and his new area of examination, personal engagement. Adam is a speaker, writer, and consultant with organizations around the world. Learn more athttp://adamfletcher.net or http://commonaction.org

Youth Kicking Butt in 2012- by Adam Fletcher Sasse

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Youth Kicking Butt in 2012

Across the United States there are a number of innovative youth leadership programs that excite me. I get to interact with them sometimes, and other times I merely study them, read about them, or just hear about them from my friends and colleagues in the field.

For just over a decade, I've been working to support an decentralized movement of young people and adults working around the world. This movement has many different guises, including youth-led activism, youth voice, youth mainstreaming, youth engagement, intergenerational partnerships, and youth empowerment. All of them include youth leadership, in all its myriad forms. Another thing they do is center on transforming the roles of young people throughout society, and that has been my main interest, action that actively evolves society.

(Read more here- Look for Perrin Family Foundation shout out)

http://commonaction.blogspot.com/2012/02/youth-kicking-butt-in-2012-for-brad.html

Seeking youth participants for Peace Monument project in Dixwell

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:26:00 +0000

For International Day of Peace in September 2012 the City of New Haven Peace Commission will be installing a Peace Monument in the Dixwell neighborhood. Over the last few years we have installed peace monuments in about half a dozen neighborhoods around the city. Here is the peace monument we did in
Newhallville two years ago: http://newhallvillepeacemonument.org/default.aspx

Each Peace Monument represents a collaboration between the Peace Commission and neighborhood organizations. Over several months leading up to International Day of Peace we work with the community on siting the monument, creating an appropriate text to be displayed on the monument, and coming up with a program to dedicate the monument.

We would like to collaborate with any groups that do work in Dixwell. In particular we hope to collaborate with youth and youth organizations.

Would you or your organization be interested in working on this project to promote peace in our neighborhoods and peace across the globe? Please let me know as soon as possible.

Thanks!

Aaron Goode

City of New Haven Peace Commission

203 589 9445

aaron.goode@gmail.com

Police Chief Joseph Gaudette and Sheila Perrin named CT 2012 Champions of Children

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:19:00 +0000

Police Chief Joseph Gaudette and Sheila Perrin named CT 2012 Champions of Children

January 4, 2012 (HARTFORD, CT) The Center for Children's Advocacy, a Connecticut nonprofit that protects the legal rights of abused and neglected children throughout the state, announced the winners of their 2012 Fairfield County Champion of Children awards today. Award winners are Sheila Perrin, President and Co-Founder of the Perrin Family Foundation in Ridgefield, CT; and Joseph L. Gaudett, Jr., Chief of Police of the City of Bridgeport, CT.

The Center’s Champion of Children awards recognize ongoing outstanding effort in support of children and youth who suffer without the basics of a stable and health life: they lack stable homes, access to healthcare, necessary educational support, families of their own.

The Perrin Family Foundation has supported the Center for Children’s Advocacy’s work with youth in poor communities since 2007. With Perrin’s support, the Center is able to change the lives of youth who critically need help, giving them the confidence to engage in problem solving and decision making, and effectively manage their lives.

“My own children have the benefit of the resources necessary to grow into healthy, self-fulfilled adults. I have always kept the vision in my mind of children and youth not so fortunate, and continue to be saddened by the great inequities among a certain population of our youth, “says Sheila Perrin. “As co-founder of the Perrin Family Foundation, I want to see all young people mentally and physically healthy, and well prepared to live a self-satisfying and productive life.”

Chief Joseph Gaudett has been with the Bridgeport Police Department since 1983, and was appointed Chief of Police in 2010. Dedicated to helping Bridgeport youth overcome the disadvantages of their environment, he enthusiastically supports programs that provide opportunities to enable city youth to look forward to a secure and productive future.

Chief Gaudett is working with the Center for Children’s Advocacy to reduce race discrimination issues prevalent between police and youth in Connecticut’s poorest cities. “Our goal must be to help Bridgeport youth overcome the disadvantages that surround them, with a focus on education and graduation and an eye to a self-sufficient future,” said Gaudett. His leadership is a critical component of the success of efforts to help teens stay in school and avoid involvement with the juvenile justice system.

The Center’s Champion of Children Awards will be presented at the "Sunshine in February" event to be held February 29, 2012 at Trump Parc, One Broad Street, Stamford, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The event is open to the public and tickets are available at www.kidscounsel.org or by calling 860-570-5327 .

"The support we provide to children and youth is critical," said Martha Stone, Executive Director of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, "We serve the poorest of the poor, and their problems are often overwhelming. With our community partners, we're able to reach children who have suffered from abuse, from neglect, from lack of support and without a safe place to live. We give children hope, and they deserve the right to live safe and healthy lives."

Catering for the event is generously provided by Stamford's Fairway Market, and Trump Parc is made available by Thomas L. Rich and Louis R. Cappelli.

The Center for Children's Advocacy was established in 1997 to protect the legal rights of Connecticut's most vulnerable children - those falling through the cracks of the state's child welfare, education, juvenile justice, health and mental health systems.

To purchase tickets, go to www.kidscounsel.org or email bberk@kidscounsel.org. For more information, please call 860-570-5327 .

reprinted from the Council of Philanthropy

WNPR discusses the power of youth voice!

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:41:00 +0000

WNPR's critically acclaimed Where We Live recently dedicated a morning show to the power of using youth media as a youth empowerment and community change strategy. Youth Rights Media, a PFF grantee, spoke about their work and their newest documentary film project on NPR's acclaimed Where We Live. You can listen in here.

The Ben & Jerry's Foundation offers competitive grants

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:26:00 +0000

The Ben & Jerry's Foundation offers competitive grants to not-for-profit, grassroots community organizations throughout the United States and in Vermont, working to bring about progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. The Employee Advisory Committee meets nine times a year to review proposals. There is no deadline for applying.
We make one-year grants for up to $15,000. Generally we fund organizations with budgets under $500,000. Only organizations with 501(c)3 status, or who have a fiscal agent with this status are eligible to apply.

http://www.benandjerrysfoundation.org/the-national-grassroots-grant-program.html

CT After School Network has a SHOUT-OUT to young people. We need your help to inform policy makers who fund programs for you. Please tell us what you think!

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:04:00 +0000

We need your help this month!

In 2012, state officials will be preparing a State Plan for Afterschool and Summer Programs, and we need to hear from you and the families you serve. The Connecticut After School Network is collecting information from youth, parents and providers to share with these officials and incorporate into the state plan.
Four ways you can help:
1) Have young people complete the survey (on-line or on paper and mail it in):
·         On-line Youth Survey (this on-line survey branches to different questions for those age 14 and older, and other questions for those 13 and younger) on-line here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRCLSS5
·     Paper copy of Youth Survey for ages 13 and younger
·         Paper copy of Youth Survey for ages 14 and older
2) Share the survey with families
·         On-line Parent Survey on-line here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R6H3BFT
·         Paper copy of Parent Survey (English)

·       Paper copy of Parent Survey (Spanish)
·           Parent flyer to send home with youth
3) Tell us your opinions too! and share with your co-workers:
·         On-line Provider Survey on-line here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RSZFGNW
·         Paper copy of Provider Survey
4) Forward this email to others in Connecticut!
Thank you very much for your participation. If you have any questions about the surveys or about the ways they will be used, please contact Michelle Doucette Cunningham, Executive Director at the Connecticut After School Network at 860-730-2941 or mdc@ctafterschoolnetwork.org.

Please leave a comment here to encourage others to get involved!

Laura McCargar joins Perrin Family Foundation as Program Officer

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:26:00 +0000

The Perrin Family Foundation is happy to announce that Laura McCargar will be joining its team! As the Perrin Foundation’s new Program Officer, Laura will be responsible for managing our social change grantmaking activities and developing strategies to support, strengthen, promote and expand youth organizing practices throughout Connecticut. Laura comes to the Foundation with extensive knowledge of Connecticut’s youth landscape, demonstrated experience as a community organizer and youth development practitioner, and a deep commitment to empowering young people as agents of change. “I am delighted to join the Perrin team,” explains Laura, “because I firmly believe that young people develop most profoundly – and our communities become the strongest – when young people are engaged as leaders, decision-makers and change agents in the issues that most impact them. Youth-driven social change has the potential to fundamentally reconstitute young people’s realities and the landscape of opportunities available to them.”

Prior to joining the Perrin Foundation, Laura was awarded a Soros Justice Fellowship from Open Society Foundations, where she engaged in research and organizing work around Connecticut’s school to prison pipeline. She also previously served as the founding Executive Director of Youth Rights Media, a New Haven-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to use media and organizing strategies to create both individual and community change. In 2007, Laura was awarded the international Reebok Human Rights Award in recognition of her outstanding work with and on behalf of marginalized youth. She graduated from Yale University Magna Cum Laude in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies.

Join us as we welcome Laura!

Reflections by Jenine on Youth Activism

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:24:00 +0000

“What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" There I was, in downtown Philadelphia, marching and chanting alongside my peers, mentors, and myriad organizations that shared a common interest: to expose the atrocious state of food in America. Youth from coast to coast united, under the commonality of change, to discuss the current food issues and struggles within our own communities. I feel empowered to make a change in my community.

The actual summit was extraordinary. We visited local farmers markets and high schools that were making great strides for a greener, healthier tomorrow. That's one of the most important things I've learned, initiative has to start today; As the adage goes, it is better to be proactive than reactive. I have broadened my mind beyond its bounds, and I am greatly appreciative of the experience.

Initially, no one honestly believes that with sheer willpower they can make a change. But, we have to step back and think to ourselves, what if Nelson Mandela had said "We will never be free from bondage, so don't bother"? What if Susan B. Anthony succumbed to the prejudice, ignorance, and malice of her male counterparts, and had not propelled the women's suffrage movement?

In order for us to make a significant change, no matter what it is, we have to first believe that we can. Even though we are often cast away as "children", we do have a voice and if we speak out, our voices will be heard. The cigarette companies tried to pool the wool over the American public's eyes, and hard working adults and young adults a like, fought and won. I honestly believe we too can put an end to the autocracy that is our current food system.

With the bond that I have a created with Hartford Food System, I hope that we too can add to the Food Movement. After returning from the conference, we immediately brainstormed ideas of projects we could initiate here in Hartford. We all loved the idea of creating a mural in the city. Philadelphia had the most beautiful murals that brought a lustrous vibrancy to the city. We thought that by creating a mural centered around food, that we would (1) artistically introduce a healthier lifestyle to the community, and (2) open a channel for discussion with the people of the community. Written by Jenine- age 17

This is an EXCELLENT example of youth initiated social change right here in New Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:18:00 +0000

New Haven is proving to be a real hot bed of activity as it relates to youth voice and youth initiated social change. We are so excited to see that youth are talking, they are meeting, they are engaged and now in New Haven they are invited to forums, they are planning peace marches and petitioning the city leaders to make meaningful changes! On their minds; improving sanitation at the schools. Yes, toilet paper and soap in dispensers are necessities. Students are pouring over budgets and recommending that the number of administrators be reduced from the one administrator to three teacher to ratio so that dollars can be spent on text books. Currently the books being shared are older then the 16 and 17 year old student. Yes, I said SHARED! Here is where it is going. The youth are taking to the streets and talking to the community leaders about the violence and about the lack of jobs. Read more here..."More Jobs, Less Violence!" New Haven Independent

Blogging For Change

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:23:00 +0000

Read this article for inspiration!
Column by Chelsea Murray

This summer instead of basking in the sun or traveling, I have had the pleasure of spearheading a blogging program with a group of amazing young women at Waterbury Youth Services.

The program evolved out of an argument with my father, who owns the Waterbury Observer, and who drives me crazy sometimes. Frustrated that day, I picked up the phone and called Kelly Cronin, the executive director of Waterbury Youth Services, and asked if I could invent a program for the summer. I felt the need to do something different with my life and wanted the opportunity to help others. I wasn’t sure what her response would be. I was young, practically just-out-of-college, and she could have told me to get lost. Instead, Kelly invited me down to her office and asked me to propose a program.
Blogging For Change

LEAP Panel: Youth Violence is a Community Issue by Martha Colaresi

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:23:00 +0000

10/26/2011 by jcolonese
Crime is on the decline in New Haven. Mayor DeStefano and the New Haven Police Department recently reported that audited statistics for the first six months of 2011 showed that overall crime was down about 9% from the same time period last year.
The other good news is that New Haven has made the America’s Promise Alliance list of 100 Best Communities for Young People – recognizing communities that make “extraordinary efforts to reduce dropout rates and provide outstanding services and supports to their youth. New Haven was honored for “the community’s ability to come together to help address the challenges its young people face; and specifically praised for engaging youth in “career development, community building and organizing.” (New Haven Register, 10/13/11)

The bad news is that homicide is on the rise. At this writing, 28 people in the city have been murder victims in 2011 -- the last one, a 13-year-old boy.“The motives vary, when they are known,” reported the New Haven Register, 10/1/11. “Jealousy. Drugs. Revenge. Robbery. Often gangs.”

LEAP was founded in 1992 to counteract all of the above factors that lead to violence, particularly youth violence. For the past 20 years, LEAP has been supplying children and youth with the tools they need in order to manage negative emotions, feel good about themselves, deal peaceably with conflict, and make healthy lifestyle choices. We are teaching them non-violence by providing them with caring mentors and positive role models.

Research has shown that programs like ours, that create opportunities for children to learn in a safe and accepting environment, help young adults make positive changes in their lives. Unsupervised youth are at the greatest risk of perpetuating or being victims of violence during out-of-school-time hours, especially young people in low-income communities such as those we serve. In contrast, children and youth who attend after-school programs have higher grades and school attendance, and lower levels of teen pregnancy and drug use (U.S. Dept. of Education; National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center).

After-school programs are only one piece of the solution. It takes a community to eradicate violence before it starts. How to do so? LEAP does not have the answers – but we have the questions. We are kicking off our 20th anniversary year with a public forum in which to hear the shared concerns of prominent New Haven and Connecticut citizens.

On November 3, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Yale Law School Auditorium, LEAP will be presenting the first of a series of two panel discussions addressing the topic of youth violence in New Haven. Since we provide alternatives to violent behavior through Leadership, Education, Athletics and Partnership, the first panel will feature leaders and educators; the second, scheduled to take place in April, will showcase athletes and community partners.

The leadership panel will be moderated by Alice Forrester, Executive Director of the Clifford Beers Clinic. Panelists include Mike Lawlor of the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management; Henry Fernandez, founding Executive Director of LEAP; Dr. Chisara Asomugha, Deputy Mayor for Community Services, City of New Haven; and Lawrence Turner, Pastor at Community Baptist Church.

The education panel, moderated by Claudia Merson, Director of School Partnerships at Yale University, will feature Dr. Michael Sampson, Dean of the School of Education for Southern Connecticut State University; Garth Harries, Assistant Superintendent of New Haven Public Schools; Emily Byrne, Executive Director of the New Haven Promise; and Danielle Neves, a LEAP alumna who is principal of a Washington, DC public school.

The LEAP community is joining forces with the New Haven community to address challenges faced by our children and youth. Come support us by attending the panel discussion on November 3. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required to attend. Please call or write Lucy Diaz, LEAP Director of Development, at 203-773-0770 or ldiaz@leapforkids.org, or visit www.panelone.eventbrite.com.

WOW! A national training for young organizers, young member leaders, and youth organizers from across the country.

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:52:00 +0000

2012 National Youth Organizing Training Institute

February 29 - March 3 Oakland, CA

Please save the date! Applications coming soon.

The INSTITUTE 2012 is a national training for young organizers, young member leaders, and youth organizers from across the country.

Participants will come together to build their skills, exchange lessons learned, and strategize to win justice for our communities. We’ll develop a solid and systematic orientation to the fundamentals of organizing, including base-building, campaign strategy and leadership development. Rooted in current youth struggles, the INSTITUTE will provide a unique space for emerging leaders to engage with the challenges and opportunities of the current moment, to advance our organizations and to build a stronger movement.

For more information, please email SOUL at nyoti@schoolofunityandliberation.org or contact Nefertiti at 510. 451. 5466 ext. 312.

Free Webinar Today- Wednesday 10/26 @ 4:00

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:16:00 +0000

Finding Grants to Support Students in Solving Community Problems

Authors:

Lana Peterson & Jennifer Stockwell

Free webinar on October 26, 2011 exploring how to find resources and funding to support service-learning projects.

Do you or your students have an idea for a project that requires a budget larger than a shoestring? Join NYLC’s Development Director to learn about strategies for securing resources and hear about funding opportunities that are specific to service-learning.

This webinar begins at 4:00 p.m. CT and will run for an hour.
Sign up here -> http://www.nylc.org/cart

Community Radio for Youth Power! Webinar today

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:13:00 +0000

Community Radio for Youth Power!
Youth voices. Youth choices.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
3:30 - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Register now Click Here

We have a historic opportunity now to empower youth groups. Join Prometheus Radio Project and youth groups across the country to learn how you can start your own community radio station! A newly passed law will allow nonprofits and community groups to apply for brand new community radio station licenses as soon as next summer.

These noncommercial stations are controlled locally to amplify local voices and views. They can serve as multimedia community centers to engage the local and global community in creative new ways. The Philadelphia Student Union and Radio Rootz will be on to share how they are effectively using radio as a tool for youth organizing.

What could you do with your own radio station?

Join this webinar to learn about this historic opportunity for youth to control the media and the message. Amplify our voices. Amplify our movements!

Brought to you by: Allied Media Project, Global Action Project, Prometheus Radio Project, Radio Rootz of People's Production House, and the Philly Student Union.

Learn more at: www.prometheusradio.org photo credit: People's Production House

FORUM: New Haven schools gain by embracing dissent- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:58:00 +0000

By Kenna Barrett
AS a rhetoric teacher, I’m interested in how language meets social change. And, a recent controversy at Wilbur Cross High School reflects a pattern of communication that threatens to undercut the reforms that have been realized.In March 2010, a Wilbur Cross student led a demonstration at City Hall to protest how resources were allocated in the school budget. When this student, Isaiah Lee, subsequently won the Student Council presidency, the Cross administration nullified the election results. In September, the entire Student Council was dissolved by the school administration.The rationale for dissolving the council was not the student agitator. According to the Cross administration, the relatively small council was not representative of the entire student body; instead, it was “elitist.”“Elitist” is a suggestive word choice. Elites, of course, are those who have the power in any given situation. In the context of a school — even a school with two tracks of students — it’s a stretch for administrators to label a group of students elites. It wouldn’t be a stretch to wonder whether the administration positioning itself as egalitarian is a move to gain sympathy for undercutting student protesters.As a parent of a New Haven student, I’ve seen similar moves by the school district, moves to flip the script on parent- or student-led movements by co-opting the language and behavior of protest and reform. In one instance, I saw district leaders stampede a meeting of the parent organization Teach our Children, effectively shutting down the meeting.In these script-flipping cases, what’s often been the administration’s rationale for stifling dissent? It says the protester groups do not represent the viewpoints of the majority of parents or students. We see the same rhetorical pattern as at Cross: The protesters are outliers, the district is in it for the people.When the district embarked on a reform initiative several years ago, tensions fortunately seemed to lessen. But, waving the reform banner is the same communication strategy the district had used before, writ large: Appropriate the rhetoric of transformation to neutralize dissent.Am I saying the district’s reform effort is just a way of preserving the status quo? No, I believe measurable progress has been made and that leaders would like to see great schools. And, I’m thankful for my daughter’s valiant and dedicated teachers.But, true reform means welcoming dissent. New Haven’s public schools need to embrace, not stifle, all parent and student voices, even those that challenge the district — especially, those that do.Indeed, what has dropped out of the controversy over the Cross Student Council are exactly the questions Isaiah Lee asked in the first place: Who decides the budget and why are resources allocated the way they are?I, too, would like to know how precious resources are spent, and you can bet I would attend any public meeting that had this as its topic. But, as far as I can see, the district has not yet established a forum for true discussion, although the new Citywide PTO could be a powerful vehicle for such an effort.Until then, one may conclude — from its rhetoric and its seemingly unwelcoming stance on difficult discourse — that the district does not want to encourage a reform process that incorporates true engagement.If the New Haven schools’ leaders are serious about reform, I urge them to develop a model of engaging parents and students that embraces dissent and the wisdom it brings.Kenna Barrett is adjunct professor of English at Quinnipiac University and parent of a preschool student attending King/Robinson International Baccalaureate School. Write to her at 21 Bellevue Road, New Haven 06511. Email: cmbarrett@quinnipiac.edu.

FORUM: New Haven schools gain by embracing dissent- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

Youth Leaders Needed in New Haven on Food Justice Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:48:00 +0000

Teens interested in participating in the Food Policy Council Youth Coalition are needed. Here is the basic information, people can either contact me or Lydia to let us know who would like to come, and give us the student's contact information.

Youth Coalition for the New Haven Food Policy Council
meetings once a month, Wednesday afternoon, 3:30-5pm @ Main Library Downtown

Youth have an official youth member on the council with voting rights as their representative.
Youth will have the opportunity to have a voice in food issues in our city and in their schools such as:
- input in new school lunch menus
- help improve food available in neighborhood stores and restaurants
- conduct community based research about food issues
- have input into city-wide food policy addressing availability of fresh healthy food for all people, urban farming, food and environmental issues, food education etc.

This is a great leadership opportunity for teens and a chance to be involved with grassroots organizing and city government. If you know of any teens that are interested in food issues, please encourage them to attend this first meeting!

Thank you!
Tagan Engel
Food. Community. Design.
taganskitchen.blogspot.com
tagan.engel@gmail.com
New Haven, CT
646.206.2621

Think About New Roles for Young People in Our Community!

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:08:00 +0000

Excerpted from: http://www.freechild.org/YouthVoice/roles.htm

With the development of new technology, new learning experiences, and different avenues for participation throughout our communities, young people have assumed, been assigned, and have co-created new roles for Youth Voice.

Youth as Facilitators. Knowledge comes from study, experience, and reflection. Engaging young people as teachers helps reinforce their commitment to learning and the subject they are teaching; it also engages both young and older learners in exciting ways.

Youth as Researchers. Identifying issues, surveying interests, analyzing findings, and developing projects in response are all powerful avenues for Youth Voice.

Youth as Planners – Planning includes program design, event planning, curriculum development, and hiring staff. Youth planning activities can lend validity, creativity, and applicability to abstract concepts and broad outcomes.

Youth as Organizers – Community organizing happens when leaders bring together everyone in a community in a role that fosters social change. Youth community organizers focus on issues that affect themselves and their communities; they rally their peers, families, and community members for action.

Youth as Decision-Makers. Making rules in classrooms is not the only way to engage young people in decision-making. Committees, board membership, and other forms of representation and leadership reinforce the significance of Youth Voice throughout communities.

Youth as Advocates – When young people stand for their beliefs and understand the impact of their voices, they can represent their families and communities with pride, courage, and ability.

Youth as Evaluators. Assessing and evaluating the effects of programs, classes, activities, and projects can promote Youth Voice in powerful ways. Young people can learn that their opinions are important, and their experiences are valid indicators of success.

Youth as Specialists – Envisioning roles for youth to teach youth is relatively easy; seeing new roles for youth to teach adults is more challenging. Youth specialists bring expert knowledge about particular subjects to programs and organizations, enriching everyone’s ability to be more effective.

More Roles for Young People

Each of the following roles can be a successful way to engage young people. Every position is different, offering a variety of perspectives and actions for youth to share their perspectives and take action.

Youth as...

• Advisors
• Designers
• Teachers
• Grant-makers
• Planners
• Lobbyists
• Trainers
• Philanthropists
• Politicians
• Recruiters
• Social entrepreneurs
• Paid staff
• Mentors
• Decision makers
• Activity Leaders
• Policy makers

Creating Engaging Lifestyles

Youth Voice is a logical starting point for any organization that wants to serve its constituency more effectively. It is also a powerful avenue for actually changing the lives of young people. By taking a constructivist approach to Youth Voice, communities can truly sustain young peoples’ engagement throughout society. That means acknowledging what young people already know, expanding their exposure to, knowledge of, and opportunities to generate new thinking. All of the models above can help educators weave an intricate blanket of engagement that captures people for all their lives.

Thank you FreeChild.org!!!!
forwarded by Rachel Heerema, Executive Director
Citywide Youth Coalition, Inc.

YDTRC Launches Social Media Blog- Check out the Hill Youth Action Team.

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:47:00 +0000

The HYAT Works For Change in the Hill: This summer a group of 8 youth from the Hill Neig...:

This summer a group of 8 youth from the Hill Neighborhood in New Haven, CT got together for 5 weeks of paid training based on youth development, youth leadership and youth community engagement. The focus this summer was group and individual service learning , educational enrichment, and enhancing critical and creative thinking . The team worked diligently on creating public art to display in their community, while learning about the art museums and other public art available to them in New Haven. Every Monday, for five weeks, the Hill Youth Action Team worked on creating a peace of public art that would represent them as a team and promote change and positive attitudes in the Hill Neighborhood. They attended weekly workshops at the New Haven Free Public Libraries on Employability, while researching the schools they were interested in in attending in the future, discussing the process of applying, and visiting one State University about an hour away from New Haven. The HYAT provided service to their community by volunteering as a group and as individuals in different summer camps and community programs such as Camp Farnam, The YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, And Leap.

CACLD offers Training Course to Parents of Learning Disabled Students. How to Advocate For Services at Schools.

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:19:00 +0000

Have you ever asked yourself...

• What are the laws governing special education services and how does it apply to my child's problems?

• How do I get services from the school?

• What is an IEP?

• What does a good evaluation consist of?

• What questions do I need to ask?

• How do you measure progress?

Then this CACLD program is for you!

• Become an informed consumer

• Gain an understanding of the process

• Learn how to advocate more effectively to obtain appropriate services for your child

• Build your confidence as an advocate

• Know where to find the answers

• Become a knowledgeable member of the team

Becoming An Effective Advocate

10 Workshops for Parents and Professionals

Tuesdays from October 4, 2011 to December 6, 2011

10:15 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

25 Van Zant Street, Norwalk, CT

To read the brochure click here: Becoming An Effective Advocate Brochure
Limited scholarships are available.
Click on the link below for more information!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Your-child-is-having-problems-at-school---Do-you-know-what-to-do-.html?soid=1103596296371&aid=Zw-o8bcFJ5Q

Afterschool Alliance :: Lights On Afterschool Win $5000!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Announcements:

Win up to $5,000 in the Light Up a Landmark for Lights On Afterschool Contest! We've seen the Empire State Building, LA's Lindbergh Beacon and Mt Rushmore lit up for Lights On Afterschool. What are you planning to shine a spotlight on the importance of afterschool in your community? Eleven (11) sites will be selected nationwide to receive awards from longtime afterschool champion jcpenney : One $5,000 Megawatt award and Ten $1,000 Spotlight awards. Read more
Afterschool Alliance :: Lights On Afterschool

Prepare To Be Inspired by the CT Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:36:00 +0000

The AYD Course is Coming to Fairfield County This Fall. The Training Will Take Place at the Burroughs Community Center on the Bridgeport/Fairfield line!

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:55:00 +0000

The Youth Development Training and Resource Center is a resource center and intermediary to assist youth programs, local youth-serving networks, and funders of youth agencies throughout Connecticut. The YDTRC was founded in 1993 by the City Wide Youth Coalition and The Consultation Center. Through the use of our services, we hope to promote positive youth development. We are here to help you directly or to connect you with the resources that will be most effective for you.

Description

Advancing Youth Development (AYD) is a nationally acclaimed course designed for front-line youth workers who interact with adolescents on a daily basis. The 30-hour course was based on curricula from the Center for Youth Development and Policy Research, Academy for Educational Development and the National Network for Runaway Youth.

Seven sessions cover the history of youth work, the youth development framework, fostering youth participation and leadership, culturally competent programming, program assessment, and professional competencies of youth workers:

Location: Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

Session 1: The Youth Development Framework
Session 2: Developmental Youth Outcomes (Supports and Opportunities)
Session 3: Providing Developmentally Appropriate & Responsive Programs
Session 4: Increasing our Ability to Develop Young People
Session 5: Expanding Opportunities for Youth Participation
Session 6: Program Planning & Assessing Program Outcomes
Session 7: Professional Competencies of Youth Workers

Goals
AYD aims to help youth workers to:
Gain familiarity with the youth development approach and use this approach to explore, share, and learn new strategies for working with young people.
Strengthen their ability to communicate their ideas, expertise and experience to their constituencies: board members, families, co-workers, community leaders, and youth.
Discuss practical strategies for integrating a youth development approach into their programs.
Develop an informal peer network and become ongoing resources to each other.

Course Instructors
All AYD instructors are qualified YDTRC facilitators who have completed the 30-hour AYD course and the intensive 3-day Training for AYD Course Facilitators. Community-based youth workers who have completed the 30-hour course often help with selected sessions when the course is in their geographic area. Tai Richardson is the facilitator for the 2011 course.

Participant Selection

Registration is open to staff members of youth-serving agencies, including public and private organizations, neighborhoods, community centers, or residential programs. The course is designed to benefit front-line youth workers, as well as all others who come in direct contact with or supervise people who work directly with young people. Participants will be selected from the initial registration list based upon the location and type of agency.

If you are interested in discussing opportunities for bringing the AYD course to your agency staff, please contact Deborah Stewart at 203-789-7645.

Cost

The fee is $195 per participant for the seven-session course. Partial scholarships may be available. For more information, contact Keeley Forrestel at 203-789-7645, ext. 137.

Click here for registration details.
http://www.theconsultationcenter.org/ydtrc/ayd.html

Great Social Media Platform for Youth to Inspire Change!

noreply@blogger.com (Perrin Family Foundation) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:19:00 +0000

LikeMinded is looking for stories of local change!

LikeMinded continues to serve as the best place to share and discover Ideas for Change from your neighborhood and across the country. Got a story of local change? Post it to http://www.likeminded.org/ today so that others may learn from your good work!

Will you take advantage of this new tool and post your youth project?