Youth Allies even helped me develop my own project to help youth, especially immigrant youth, learn their civil rights. I worked with two other Youth Allies members, Cynthia Mendez and Jose Vasquez to train in civil rights with Somos un Pueblo Unido. Once we learned the material, we went into the high schools in SF to teach other students their rights and taught workshops at conferences throughout the state. So far we’ve trained over 120 youth to practice their civil rights. My project was just one of many developed and led by Youth Allies members to build a stronger community and a more sustainable future. After two years of hard work, I am now employed as the Youth Coordinator for the entire program.

The program includes an intensive Leadership Training Institute that meets on Saturdays from October-June, an Organizing Program that helps young people develop projects like mine to better the community and the environment, and a Youth Network that hosts monthly meetings and monthly service-learning projects open to any and all youth in SF.

To get involved in our youth movement for sustainability and justice, please contact Bianca Sopoci-Belknap, Program Leader at 699-1025, email Bianca@earthcare.org or visit
www.earthcare.org.