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Activity: Hug-A-Thug
Location: Washington, DC: Senate Office Buildings
Description: On Tuesday, Sept 26, Out-of-School youth from several states dropped in on the Senate to send a clear message – We will not be left behind!

The purpose of the demonstration was to educate policy makers and the public about the out-of-school youth who have been undervalued and overlooked, and who have the potential to become America’s best resource or worst liability.

The young people called their demonstration , Hug-A-Thug. Javier Starks, a young person who joined the rally stated, “the reality is that when the majority of Americans see us on the street, they cross to the other side or grab their purse or bag a little tighter. They think we are "social predators," active "gang bangers," and or irresponsible citizens. As a result they invest little or no money in programs to help us improve our situation. They don’t realize we vote, we want opportunity, and we give back to our communities.”

Javier and the other young adults who took part in this campaign want to transform the images from that of "unreachable, criminal thug" to that of young people who need our support and investment. Javier and his team gave away more than 175 hugs to people that day, including two U.S. Senators.

Press release. (PDF, 128 KB)

Activity: “Thank You” Letter Writing Campaign
Location: Baltimore, MD
Description: The Baltimore Youth Opportunity System (YO! Baltimore) has been able to expand its services to out-of-school youth from the geographic limitations of the Empowerment Zone to citywide, thanks to funding from the Mayor and City Council—keeping the YO! Baltimore Movement alive and thriving.  In response YO! Baltimore’s members are engaging in a “Thank You” letter writing campaign during September.  These letters will be delivered to the Mayor and City Council members in October, 2007.  Progress updates will be provided to the Mayor and City Council each month to reinforce their funding decision to invest in a strategy that works.

Activity: YOUTH, BEWARE OF YOUR ENEMY’
Location: Akim Oda in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana
Description: CHILD AID & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NETWORK, acronym CAYDNET is a registered Charity Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Akim Oda in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Caydnet Is aimed at promoting Children’s welfare, Youth Development and Women Empowerment, including the physically challenged and the vulnerable.

 However, political forces such as party beliefs, social forces such as discrimination especially; among the physically challenged and economic forces such as lack of funds hinder the work of the organization with the  youth.

Meanwhile the organization plans to assist the out-of work/out –of –school youth in  it operational area in income generating activities such as soap and pomade production  and agro-venture in the rural communities to reduce poverty and hunger among them to better their  lot.

It  also is planning to assist in educating the youth on health issues, especially education and awareness creation on HIV/ AIDS PREVENTION AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION.

Concerning  the YOUTH OPPORTUNITY MONTH  2006 ,It is our pleasure to inform you that CAYDNET, is LAUNCHING THE  HIV/AIDS   AWARNESS COMPAIGN  dubbed:  ‘YOUTH,   BEWARE  OF  YOUR  ENEMY’,  on  Saturday,  30th   September  2006 at  Akim Oda in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Activity: Drop- In Forum
Location: Madera, CA
Description:The Ready, Set, Go! Program is inviting youth ages 16-24 that have stopped attending high school and have not graduated to attend a “drop-in forum”. The goal of the “drop-in forum” is to re-engage these youth in the educational system. Local school administrators will be available during the forum where youth will have the opportunity to be heard in a comfortable and accepting atmosphere. Youth are encouraged to voice their personal experiences that have lead to their drop-out status in an effort to help school officials strategize new ways to reach this population of young people. Snacks, raffles, prizes, and gift certificates will be available. The forum will be held at Martin Luther King Middle School, 601 Lilly St. in Madera from 6-7pm.

Activity: Youth Advocacy Day
Location: Milan, Ohio
Description:The Success for Youth programs of Erie, Huron, Sandusky and Seneca Counties are hosting a Youth Advocacy Day at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio. Youth, agency personnel, educators and administrators, church youth groups, elected officials and politicians from all over the 4 county region have been invited to attend this event. Success for Youth staff and Peer Support Workers will be educating attendees on the major issues youth face in these counties. The grounds and auditorium of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center will be set in a “Game of Life” format with 8 stations featuring Youth Issues:

1. Pregnant and Parenting Teens
2. Homeless and Runaway Teens
3. Youth in the Foster System and Emancipated and/or Transitioning Out of the Foster System
4. Youth Offenders
5. Basic Skills and Literacy Skills Deficient Youth
6. Unemployed or underemployed Youth
7. Disabled Youth and Learning Disabled Youth
8. School Drop outs
   

As attendees enter the "Game" they will receive a Youth "Label" and a game card. Their game card directs them which Youth Issue Station to visit. As they approach the station - they are greeted by youth and staff who educate them on the statistics and concerns of the Youth Issue. This gives the youth and the attendees opportunities for discussion on the youth issues and what can and cannot be done. As the attendee leaves the Youth Issue station - he/she will draw another card which will give them another label to wear in addition to their existing label (as we know youth have more than one issue and continue to develop more as they progress).

Attendees leave the event as a “labeled” youth with a map of where they had been “run around to” for help.

Success for Youth will host these block party/networking advocacy events throughout the year in various areas of the 4 county region to bring about awareness of the issues Youth are facing.

Activity: Fair Chance for Youth Demonstration
Location: Camden, NJ
Description:The staff of Work Group of Camden, NJ and ten youth will travel to Washington, DC and join YDRF in the Fair Chance for Youth Demonstration.

Activity: Building the Out-of-School Youth Initiative
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Description:The Citizens Committee on Youth in Cincinnati are working with a broad group of stakeholders to develop a coordinated alternative culturally appropriate educational, employment, and entrepreneurial training venue designed specifically for “Out of School” youth and young adults, looking for a step up and away in, or away back in, to mainstream education, coupled with employment and/or micro-enterprise opportunities. The first step will include Peer Support Workers who will work with the group to help identify the needs and desires of out-of-school youth in the area.