Happy September!

I would like to update you on the work of the Youth Initiative. We are starting up some exciting projects this fall in an effort to engage every young person in meaningful activities outside of school and empower young people to take a leadership role in their community.

Also check out the announcements that follow - there are some great opportunities for people to volunteer, providers to network and teens to have their voices heard!

UPDATE:
Windham Central: An Out of School Time Activities Coordinator is being hired to reach out to students at Leland and Gray Middle/High School that are not currently involved in activities and develop programming to meet those students interests.

Windham Southwest: An outreach position is being supported through Wings Community Program and the school district to connect with 4th graders who are truant and engaging them in their learning and in after school activities.

Windham Northeast: A community effort is underway to create a Boys & Girls Club unit and the Youth Initiative is supporting the effort in any way it can. The Youth Initiative is also funding two Peer Outreach Workers through Youth Services to reach out to teens providing resource and activity information as well as support services.

Windham Southeast: The second year of the Boys & Girls Club @ BAMS after school program, now called Links, begins September 26th. The Youth Initiative, as part of the Leadership Team, is helping to oversee the program, its evaluation and sustainability.

Windham County Wide:
- The Youth Initiative's web site, www.HelpEmpowerYouth.com, continues to be a great resource for families, teens and professionals around Windham County to find activities and resources for young people.
**This Fall we are creating a printed resource guide as well.

- WCYC (Windham County Youth Council) will plan another Youth Summit to be held in the Spring of 2006. Any teens interested in being a part of this planning please contact me!

- The H.E.Y.! Help Empower Youth campaign continues with monthly news articles giving practical information about how community members can better support young people.
**We also have fabulous new bumper stickers - give me a call if you would like one.

Day of Caring

United Way is hosting its annual Day of Caring Saturday September 24th starting at 9:00am in the Marlboro Technology Center parking lot.

Bring some friends and donate your time to help local agencies with projects like painting indoors, gardening, cleaning up and more.

Hey Teens! Its a great way for you to earn your community service hours.


Networking Opportunity for Providers

WHAT: Brattleboro Area Child and Adolescent Provider Breakfast

WHEN: Wednesday September 28th from 7:30 - 9am

WHERE: Retreat Healthcare, Educational Conference Room, 1st floor of the administration building.

WHY: To meet and greet one another and share resource and ideas as we collaborate in our efforts to provide quality care for the children and families we serve.

PLEASE RSVP: Becky Green-Reynolds at 1-800-RETREAT ext. 4359 or bgreen@retreathealthcare.org


Voices Project & What About Teens?

The Voices Project is a unique initiative created to explore the identity, hopes, courage and concerns of Vermont youth through the creation of:
• a multimedia collection featuring poetry, art, music and film created by Vermont teens
• the statewide tour of an original music inspired, written and performed by Vermont teens
The Voices Project will be performing in Brattleboro at the Latches Theater on Friday September 30th at 7:00pm. Log onto http://www.bcbsvt.com/pages/voices/index.html for more information and to buy tickets.

What About Teens? will provide the community with the opportunity to dialogue about issues that impact teens, young adults and the community. The goal of this meeting, along with others that will happen around the state, is to develop key policy solutions that will be presented to the Legislator in March.

This dialogue will be held on Thursday, October 6th from 7:00-9pm at the Marlboro Technology Center. Please RSVP by calling 1-800-639-3351 or e-mailing learning@vpt.org.

How Teens can help Hurricane Katrina relief efforts

Youth Service America has a great web site that now has a list of organizations that are mobilizing to support the relief effort.
Check it out at: http://www.ysa.org/.

Also available at this website are project planning tools and resources. They will find a downloadable project planning tool kit and easy to use tip sheets. These will help young people think through the steps needed to plan and implement a successful project.