Youth Action Teams Putting Youth at the Center of Everything We Do Y D N E T W O R K . O R G
2010-2011
Youth Action Teams Are Making Change Happen! The Youth Action Team (YAT) program engages teams of Sacramento youth who want to make a difference in their community. These teams— from partnering organizations, Greenhouse, Ubuntu Green, PowerForward, and Vibe—identify a community need that they can work to improve, and then they get moving. So far, these four teams have created exciting momentum in their communities and they’re not finished yet. On the following pages, you’ll see what these four teams have been working on as well as how you can find out more about their inspiring efforts.
Youth Development Principles The Youth Development Network promotes the Youth Development Framework for Practice developed by Michelle Gambone (Finding Out What Matters for Youth) and Jim O’Connell (IRRE, and First Things First school reform initiative). This framework (below) outlines the core supports and opportunities all youth need in all environments to ensure their success. Creating emotionally, culturally and physically safe places, Ensuring youth have caring adult relationships where adults serve as guides, coaches, and mentors, Ensuring students have opportunities to participate through creating a sense of belonging, providing youth voice and choice and creating leadership opportunities, Ensuring youth know their community and give back to their community and Ensuring youth learn a core set of skills in engaging, challenging and interesting ways.
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Youth Action Teams Attend the Camp Experience of Their Lives—SYLP! With the help and support of local individuals, organizations and corporations, the eighth year of YDN’s Sacramento Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) turned out to be our most successful yet. This year’s camp was a vehicle to help launch the YATs’ work for the 2011-2012 school year by creating a sense of unity among the various teams, by uploading skills that youth could use during the year in their advocacy work, and by inspiring the students and their adult allies to be change agents.
“I had such a great time with these people. I feel like I am a stronger person and that I can use my strengths to help my community. Who would've
The theme of camp this year was: ―Community U.‖ With this theme to guide them, the staff and youth leaders designed a leadership camp experience that made clear connections between individual gifts and experiences, youth as resources, the concept of individual power, and how that power can be put to work to create youth-driven change in their communities, and in the world. Thirty-six youth participated in the program, of these, six had attended the camp previously .
known four days could be such a lifechanging experience? I made new friends, learned new things, conquered fears, stepped out of my comfort zone, and most importantly became a better me. I would like to thank SYLP and YDN for setting up such a great event. I would also like to thank the youth facilitators. You guys inspired me so much. Saying I will be a leader to my community is one thing, but putting it to action is another. Time to make a difference!"
Rashad Alton~ Youth Participant
As always, the camp was an amazing experience, both for the adults and the youth. The youth not only returned home with new friends, but they also have a new support network which we can see at play through their Facebook posts. Their YAT coordinators have shared with the YDN that the youth have also returned with a fire in the belly to put their newly-honed leadership skills to work in their communities. Check out our SYLP 2011 photo slide show here.
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Camp Facilitation Team In addition to the thirty-six youth participants, an additional eight youth signed on as youth leader/facilitators for the camp. These youth met regularly during the months before camp to help plan and design the agenda. These youth also received additional training so they could be leaders and role models for the entire camp experience, sometimes guiding activities in partnership with adult leaders and sometimes facilitating on their own. The returning youth played a significant role both formally and informally. Formally, they facilitated approximately 70% percent of the activities. Informally, they provided advice and counsel to their younger peers. Props to our 8 youth leaders: Anthony Tafoya, Christina Harvey, Crystal Gutierrez, Jenny Gallo, Jose Ayon, Olivia Contrera, Richard Hervey, and Sammie Lawrence. The two Youth Development Network (YDN) staff who helped facilitate the camp this year were Andy Paul, a first time camp facilitator, and Director Adrian Ruiz. Facilitation planning for this year’s camp began in March with the help of Chaez Boswell (consultant), Crandal Rankins (adult leader)
Camp Volunteers The adult volunteers who attended this year included: Jay Schenirer (City Council Member and Founder of SYLP), Bina Lefkovitz (previous co-director YDN), Jonathan Raymond (Superintendent of Schools, SCUSD), Joe Devlin (District Director, City Council District 5), Rosio Ruano (Executive Assistant, Council Member Jay Schenirer), Alice Perez (Government and Public Affairs, STAND UP), Nick Kalbach (Filmmaker), Anthony Giambuzzi (DJ), and Scott Mautte (Consultant).
“Love yourself, love the change, we the youth can make a difference” QUOTE BY~ Youth Participant
The Sacramento Youth Leadership Program began eight years ago as a class project of the American Leadership Forum (ALF) when 25 ALF Senior Fellows decided to recreate their ALF experience for inner city, at-risk youth. The program now includes a one day orientation, 4-day/3-night youth leadership camp, and commencement activities for the youth and their families, as well as continuing education convenings during the year for returning youth. The curriculum, designed to instill leadership and decision -making skills, was developed and implemented by members of the ALF class along with an expert leadership and organizational development consultant/facilitator and a number of youth. Following a self-evaluation and urging from the youth, the ALF Senior Fellows committed to continuing the program. Over the years, we have worked with nearly 250 youth, most of whom have committed to staying in touch, promoting youth leadership in their home organizations and in the region, and participating in local youth initiatives.
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Sacramento Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) Summer Program
Recruitment
Our recruitment was primarily through the organizations which were existing partners in the Youth Action Team project. The Youth Action Teams (YATs) are a new initiative which YDN started in the fall of 2009 that engages teams of youth from partner organizations in advocacy work. Under the YAT program, YDN provides partner agencies with ongoing staff development and organizational support in the areas of youth development, youth engagement, civic participation, and advocacy. This year’s camp was a vehicle to help launch the YAT’s work for the 2011-2011 school year by creating a sense of unity among the various teams, by uploading skills that youth could use during the year in their advocacy work, and by inspiring the students and their adult allies “I met a lot of great to be change agents. The organizations who sent youth this year were: Ubuntu Green, Power Forward, VIBE, and the Greenhouse. Within the group, there people. It was was a breadth of diversity in race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, as well as geography within the region. empowering me to Generally youth recruitment is a challenge, but this year was slightly better overachieve. That I due to the strategy of working with teams of youth engaged with agencies who were partners with YDN through the YAT project. This year we had a large will make a difference number of ambitious youth leaders (We worked with approximately fifty youth initially to arrive at the thirty-six that ended up participating). Because of their in my world.” involvement with agencies that were already building their leadership skills through the YAT project and other initiatives, many youth already had a strong QUOTE BY~ Youth Participant platform from which to start. The orientation also went a long way toward creating safety and setting expectations for what their experience would be like.
“I will be able
others because
The second component was the camp itself (July 22 – 25th), a detailed review of which is provided in the following sections.
I have better listening , communication & motivation
The third component to camp was a brand new addition to the camp experience--a whitewater rafting trip. This trip was intended to be an initial relationship-building activity prior to camp. However river conditions forced us to postpone the trip until after camp. Although not all of this year’s participants were able to attend the rafting trip on its rescheduled date (August 7th), those in attendance enjoyed the extra bonding time and were able to utilize several skills acquired at camp to work together and navigate down the river.
skills.” QUOTE BY~ Youth Participant
The fourth and final component was the graduation ceremony, which was held August 22nd at the lovely Sierra Health Foundation conference facility. Parents, guardians, family members, friends and camp supporters all came together to recognize the youth participants and facilitation team on their shared achievements. The ceremony included dinner, an overview of the camp experience, an awards ceremony, and a closing ceremony featuring candles and a circle full of people who all pledged to continue to provide the youth with the Supports and Opportunities they need to be successful.
Program at a Glance
to support
This year’s program consisted of four experiential components for all participants. The first was the Camp Orientation, which was held at the Coloma Community Center on June 29th. Youth participants engaged in a series of icebreakers and warm-up activities. In addition, they received an overview of the SYLP program (what to expect at camp and expectations).
Sacramento Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) Camp Experience July 2011 Day One featured a multitude of team and relationshipbuilding activities facilitated by the SYLP facilitation team as well as the Sierra Nevada Journeys staff.
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Relationship Building
A highlight of Day One was the StrengthsFinder workshop. During this workshop participants got an opportunity to explore the unique set of talents and strengths that they possess. Not only were they able to identify their strengths but they also began to discover ways to utilize them on both long- and shortterm endeavors.
On Day Two, participants were challenged mentally, emotionally and physically. The day began with youth experiencing the Ropes Course at Grizzly Creek which consisted of team activities such as free wall climbing, large cargo net mazes, 25-foot high tight ropes, and the always challenging 60 foot tower. During the second half of the day, participants were asked to dig deep emotionally and share intimate details of their life with others in the activity ―If you really knew me‖. This highly emotional activity is the corner stone for breaking down barriers, increasing self awareness and building lasting relationships between participants. The end of Day Two featured a dance of celebration. Youth and adults engaged in a free-for-all dance activity that allowed participants to let loose with a positive release of physical energy and joy after doing some intense emotional sharing.
Team Work & Trust
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Sacramento Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) Camp Experience July 2011 The activities of the first two days allowed participants to explore who they are as individuals and how their individuality contributes to their passion as a leader, as well as how to be vulnerable and how to speak the truth of their experience. YDN believes that self -awareness is integral to creating strong, grounded, and authentic leaders. By creating an environment where the young people could share about themselves and their lives, they became better able to connect and empathize with other young people whom they may have initially felt were very different from them. These days created stronger bonds between individual youth and laid the foundation for a stronger network of YAT leaders for when they got back to Sacramento.
Stronger Bonds
We asked the youth, “What skills have you learned today as a result of SYLP…. ?” They said: Sometimes you have to trust people (6) Open up more Cooperation (2) Communication (7) Teamwork (7) Leadership (5) Respect (2) Listening I learned something about their lives Relator Input To bear w/ it How to interact with others I learned of we work together we can we can accomplish things Learned to be less intimidated I’ve learned my strengths & how I should use them to the fullest (8) I learned from the peanut butter game that we all had to communicate Challenge: This year’s participants included a lot of return youth who were not serving as leaders (an unexpected byproduct of our solid ongoing relationships with these groups by way of the YAT project). This sometimes created unusual dynamics when the ―veteran‖ participants seemed less enthusiastic about certain activities because they had participated in them before.
Names Everyone’s different We’re not too different Focus Yoga is a good way to be relaxed Strategy activities How to come together as one I learned how to be nicer Speak out Camping is fun Step up, Step back (2) Kayaking (4) Group team building Tolerance Not learned but improved To try new things Meeting people (2) Trying my best at the physical stuff The importance of encouraging your team That anybody has the ability to become the greatest at what they do
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Sacramento Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) Camp Activities
On Day Three, participants continued their journey of self-discovery and appreciation for others’ and talents. The morning session feaDiscovery strengths tured a three-hour hike which ended at the peak of one of the camp’s tallest viewpoints. We are proud to say that, thanks to much moral and physical support from each other, the entire group was able to complete the journey to the top of the peak. For many students this was the high point of group support over the weekend. The latter part of the day featured our annual talent show where all participants have the opportunity to share their hobbies, talents, and skills with the rest of the camp. The diverse array of performances further supported and encouraged the idea of diversity and respecting each others’ gifts.
Self
“I climbed a mountain, challenged myself and achieved my 2nd greatest fear” QUOTE BY~ Youth Participant
Other workshop activities over the four days included free time during which the youth were able to get to know one another better through activities that included archery, basketball (where the adults taught the youth a thing or two about teamwork), yoga, and swimming.
Youth Action Teams (YATs): Project Showcase The final day of camp allowed for the participants to regroup within their Youth Action Teams to plan how they would utilize the skills and knowledge they acquired about themselves, their team, and their leadership abilities, in order to make a positive change in their community. This important step should help integrate their experiences from camp into their year-round work in all of the participating communities.
Ubuntu Green Ubuntu Green’s environmental youth leaders are focusing on improving recreational spaces in Oak Park as well as organizing fun, educational opportunities for the community to help keep Oak Park green.
“Change will not come if we wait for
For more information on what Ubuntu Green is up to, go to http://www.ubuntugreen.org/programs/green-youthleadership-team/
some other person or some other time. We are the
Greenhouse
ones we’ve been waiting for . We are the change that we seek.” — President Barack Obama
The team of youth from the Greenhouse have identified an empty lot that is a footpath frequently used by the community, but is also an eyesore and an unsafe junkyard. They have set their sights on cleaning and reclaiming this ugly space to transform it into a pleasant park area that will be a source of pride to the neighborhood, rather than a symbol of neglect. For more information on what Greenhouse is up to, go to
http://
www.thegreenhousecenter.org/#/programs/teen
Power Forward Power Forward youth are becoming advocates for Peace Week at their school (Grant High School) and in their neighborhood through the organizing of a Peace Week. More information on their amazing work can be found at: http://www.ghspacers.com/powerforward/home.html
Vibe The youth of Vibe are closing in on their goal, the grand opening of Sacramento’s brand-new (and only) teen-only center. When it opens in October of 2011, Vibe Urban Lounge will be a teen haven in midtown that provides a much-needed hangout for teens, as well as a potential hub for youth resources, jobs, and refreshments. For more information on what Vibe is up to, go to http://thevibefoundation.org/
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Sacramento Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) Summer Program
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A brand new addition to the camp experience--a whitewater rafting trip. Initially this trip was intended to be an initial relationship-building activity prior to camp. However river conditions forced us to postpone the trip until after camp. Although not all of this year’s participants were able to attend the rafting trip on its rescheduled date (August 7th), those in attendance enjoyed the extra bonding time and were able to utilize several skills acquired at camp to work together and navigate down the river.
Challenge: Some youth (and their parents) were very apprehensive about the rafting trip, resulting in many youth not taking part in this exciting addition to camp. For next year, we can be prepared for this and do more to alleviate fears (including sharing stories and pictures from this year’s trip). We may also attach the trip to camp itself where it can serve as the first day of teambuilding. This may help some youth or parents get over their fears if it means choosing between going to camp or not.
We asked participants, “What do you feel most proud of as a SYLP participant?” They said: Encouraged others to achieve what they didn’t think they could – created safe zone Finishing the Charlie Chaplin course challenge with my partner Picking myself up even after I failed one of the challenges Opening up to strangers. I don’t do that to anyone. I feel proud of myself because I’m living things I had never lived before. I feel confidence with myself and others Youth coming out of their shell Strong leaders Opening my heart to love others That I got my pain out That I met new friends That I spent this time with all of the people here That I came out of my comfort zone I learned how to be more of a leader than a follower Family Trust Communication (2) The accomplishments Being a team player Getting over fears Opening up (2) Having people of my YAT feel inspired All the team work
Having people tell me about life I cried in front of people I trusted some people I love friends I performed A trust with everyone Having a lot of fun when time for it I went 30 feet in the air on a line I shared my story I helped someone with a situation Getting along with people Growing closer to my peers Leadership Self-realizations By encouraging others Relating with others Trusting others Fearless, not quitting and helping I opened up about pain I conquered my fears I have met new people Being transparent with strangers Being able to be supportive to others Being able to show emotion and share personal info Sharing my stories in the whole group Got to the top of the tower Having fun I stepped completely out of my comfort zone both physically in the ropes course and mentally & emotionally That I faced my fears of heights
I showed my inside feelings I gave support to other people Giving ideas strategically to my team Reaching my goals during the ropes course For stepping out of my comfort zone That I have others that care I have people who won’t judge I have people that believe in me I felt proud that I climbed the tower Building many relationships Solidarity Support Inspired That I am here representing the Greenhouse and learning some great leadership skills I get to meet new people and have great relationships with them I get to learn new things about myself and others, most important leadership skills I feel like I got more energy I faced my fears That everyone gets to work as a team I get to meet people that want to become leaders I have overcome my fears I made new friends I am participating See how people new skills and what they are capable of Caring and support created between students
Sacramento Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) Summer Program - Celebration The graduation celebration took place August 22nd. Most of the returning youth leaders helped plan and facilitate the event. Fifteen youth showed up with several of their parents and guardians, as well as members of the YDN board of directors. The evening consisted of a dinner, some games, a slide show, video, and testimonials from the youth about how the SYLP experience has affected their lives so far. The evening ended with a candle ceremony outside.
Summary: As always, the camp was an amazing experience, both for the adults and the youth. The youth not only returned home with new friends, but they also have a new support network which we can see at play through their Facebook posts. Their YAT coordinators have shared with the YDN that the youth have also returned with a fire in the belly to put their newly-honed leadership skills to work in
We asked participants, “How you might better support others in your community from what you learned today.” They said: Bring strength to a person all you have to do is smile and honesty build character I will use Ubuntu to unite my community for a similar cause To be more headstrong in positive things Tutor students By shadowing and teaching what I have learned I can use all my skills to help with problems That I can use my strength codes In many ways so I will by support and communication I will be better support to my community by having more communication with others and trusting people in my community. Network more and establish new friendships I can use these skills to further the development of VIBE By helping other people be better leaders, help clean up my community I will motivate others to take control and make a difference in my world Be there and be a part, take care of my community By communication, help others to understand better Listen, answer questions Support youth and do my best I will be able to support others because I have better listening, communication & motivation skills
Be better at outreach & making leaders I might start having events in DPH to take up people’s time I learned how to help support a lot of people Well what I’ve learned my strengths and how to use them in my community and as my person as well! I will use the strengths that I have, proved that I have the power, that I can make a change, that I can work with other people and I will do it I learned how to help others and support them To try new things, to join us Always cheer them up and when they miss out on something tell them that you missed them and to be there next time Recognized everybody’s strengths I know how to communicate better Using my strengths and networks I will instill faith into others so they can complete a different task I learned to be calm, cool, collected and be the best leader you can be I can better support others by telling them my story and helping them relate so they can overcome their problems What I will take to my community is you should -always challenge yourself
Volunteer—Experience
We asked YAT youth, “What did you learn about yourself from this experience?” They said: That something is blocking my ability to love/have feelings My 5 strengths (3) I learned how to use my strengths to the fullest to be able to be a leader. I learned not to be afraid and step out of my comfort zone. That it’s always better to work as a team I learned that I was very quiet but the strengths I had made me come out of my comfort zone. That I’m a Woo… I’m very trustworthy now I’m a good team member I learned how to communicate my feelings I am a leader Opening up is key in living a happy life I wanna be a leader Positivity I am already a leader Who I am That I can conquer anything That I can make my team win I can overcome my fears I am a valuable person in my community I can do anything It’s not too late to help Never give up Team work I just feel more at peace I am more than I thought I was Sometimes I gotta step up and step back as a leader I relate to people and I strategize That you get to trust others I’m significant I have the power! I can trust myself and others
We asked YAT youth, “One thing you learned about leadership?” They said: I learned that you need to communicate more and trust people. Sep up – step back Leadership comes in many forms Different people have different leadership personalities I learned how important networking is Sometimes the biggest leader let’s the crew take over or becomes it Never be scared to fail b/c all you do is grow from it That they inspire people Talking and listening are very important I learned that it is all about inspiring others to take action Stepping up and stepping down What it is Take control Not always the person at the front Participation/encourage It takes one to make a change Trust, team work We are strong willed and in control Don’t always have to make a change Leadership is earned not given A leader is the one who takes action and seeks for change Use my strengths to lead You have to communicate with people Now hard it is to just listen I set the stage and the youth direct the play That it is about what you ring to the table, not if you’re in charge I learned that it is good to support others Leaders lead by good example It is better working as a team There’s different types Leadership is about pursuing your goals and supporting your community You don’t always have to be in front
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Special Thanks to… SYLP 2011 Partners, Sponsors, and Funders
Kaiser Foundation
Sweeney Scholarship Fund
Ubuntu Green’s environmental youth leaders are on improving recreational spaces in Arata Brothers Trustfocusing Walmart Oak Park as well as organizing fun, educational opportunities for the community to help keep Oak Park green. Comcast Pacific Gas & Electric
Company
For more information on what Ubuntu Green is up to, go
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 447 Councilman Robert King Fong to http://www.ubuntugreen.org/programs/green-youthleadership-team/
Casino Royal Greenhouse
Nehemiah Community Foundation
Linda Clifford
Lani Steers
Western Health Advantage
The CaliforniaWellness Foundation
Sierra Health Foundation—Grizzly Creek
Sierra Nevada Journeys
Project Great Outdoors
Youth Action Teams The Greenhouse, Ubuntu Green, PowerForward, and VIBE
To those that believe in making a difference to the youth of Sacramento — this program creates lifelong relationships that significantly improve the chance of success for this set of at-risk youth.
The investments made to this years program, leveraged with other community dollars, provided leadership skills to a diverse group of 44 inner city, at-risk youth. This support helped achieve the three main goals of the program:
Instilled leadership skills in 44 low income, diverse, at-risk youth, grades 9-12 from Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties, so that they may use these skills in their organizations and communities. Through personal experiences, educated 10-15 adult community leaders about the needs and capacity of today’s youth. Continues to build a regional network and infrastructure of youth leadership in Sacramento.
Budget. In total, this year’s SYLP summer program cost $42,525 or $975 per youth.
SYLP 2011 Videos can be found on YouTube YDNETWORK Channel
Our Organization’s Values:
Mailing Address:
tence; the need to treat and care about all people with genuine inter-
P.O. Box 269003 Sacramento, CA 95826-9003
Relationships – Positive relationships are the key to our human exis-
est and mutual respect is essential.
Social Responsibility – Is a shared, collective action, based on justice, equity and access; that promotes respect to diversity, inclusion and
Physical Address: 10474 Mather Blvd.
collaboration in support of all young people.
regularly reflect and put our learning and insights into action; to be in a
Mather, CA 95655 Ph: 916.228.2227
ydnetwork.org
Change – To foster change is to be curious, rather than certain; to
mode of continuous improvement.
Fun - A key in building partnerships and transforms what we must do into what we want to do.
Mission and Vision: YDN’s mission is to create life-changing experiences for youth to thrive and succeed. YDN believes that training and professional development for people who work with youth is a critical component of achieving our vision. YDN’s training programs, networking, resources and public policy efforts all work together to improve the quality of youth services and promote youth development principles across a broad range of communities, youth serving organizations, education, faith groups, juvenile justice agencies and businesses.