Youth in Action
The USA Network of the GYAN
Executive Summary
A 1997 Public Agenda report "Kids These Days, What American’s Really Think About Its Next Generation" shows that 58% of adults believe our next generation will make America worse than it is today. If the majority of adults are giving up on children and youth as a source of renewal and hope for our future, how is this mind set affecting the over 100 million young Americans who represent over 40% of our nation’s population?
1996 and 1998 Surveys from Kidspeak and Youthlink show that three-quarters of America’s youth believe their ideas and opinions are not valued in adult society. In addition, over 80% of youth believe they are unfairly and negatively stereotyped. These collective perceptions contribute to apathy and feelings of disempowerment and hopelessness towards impacting their (our) future.
To address these problems and to improve citizenship, service, democratic participation, and civic responsibility in our next generation(s), the Foundation of America created the Youth In Action Campaign. The Foundation of America is a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to improving the health, safety and well being of children and youth. Our mission is to create opportunities, recognition and financial support for the voices, ideas and solutions of youth. The Youth In Action Campaign serves as an umbrella to provide programs, recognition, and incentives for youth-initiated activities that are improving communities and our nation.
The campaign was launched in 1996 with two non-partisan first ever National Youth Conventions. Held concurrently with the ‘96 Republican and Democratic conventions in San Diego and Chicago, the conventions were developed to provide a sustainable vehicle for a national voice of youth to address their most important issues and concerns. Prior to the conventions our Youthlink.org web site provided the communication link necessary for thousands of youth from across the nation to contribute their ideas for improving America. Over 500 youth delegates summarized these top issues and solutions to create a National Youth Platform. This historical document was presented to presidential candidates, governors, senators, and mayors. Youth were encouraged to vote for the candidate that best represented their issues.
Based on the success of the Youth Conventions, the Heinz Foundation and corporate supporters including - Sega, Bank of America, A&M Records and Sun Microsystems, supplied initial funding to take our youth convention model and action incentive program into schools, universities and youth organizations across America.
Our yearly programs include: The Youth Action Guide–a team building curriculum for youth 12-18 and Community and University Youth Action Summits–our youth convention model for middle schools, high schools, universities and youth-serving organizations. In all program materials, young people are encouraged to work in consensus and take action on their issues, vision and solutions for improving America. All resulting youth-initiated projects that create positive community impact are eligible for $1,000 Youth In Action Awards.
To date, over 500 youth-initiated projects have been submitted. The National Youth Action Council– youth leaders from organizations and schools across America–review all projects to determine $1,000 Youth In Action Award recipients. Awards are given out as part of National Youth Service Day at a yearly ceremony in Washington D.C. Youth leaders who initiate projects are eligible to become delegates for the National Youth Convention 2000. Selected delegates will be brought to Washington D.C. to deliver the next National Youth Platform to Presidential candidates.
The Youth In Action campaign includes corporations, foundations and over one hundred non-profit affiliates–including 4-H, YMCA, YWCA, Campfire Boys and Girls, UNITY, HOBY, Girl Scouts, Youth Service America, COOL, along with Scholastic Magazine, Teen People, MTV, TIME Education and others--who distribute program materials and create youth outreach and recognition. Our collaborative relationships provide us with the ability to maximize program distribution in a cost-effective manner. Youth in Action’s programs and materials have the capacity to directly reach over 40 million young Americans as well as their teachers and families each year.
We are seeking collaborative and/or coalition organizational partners to distribute the Youth Action Guide, a "Speak Out!" flyer for your youth constituents to add their voices to help create the National Youth Platform 2000 and to select youth leaders as delegate representatives for the National Youth Convention 2000. Let us work together to assure greater recognition for the voices, ideas and solutions of youth to improve citizenship and inspire hope in this generation and in generations to come.
For Further Information
Please contact:
Mr. Peter Raducha, Executive Director
Foundation of America,
Youth In Action Campaign
43-D Malaga Cove Plaza,
Palos Verdes Est, CA 90274
Telephone: (310)373-3359
E-Mail: peter@youthlink.org
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