|
Founded
in 1996 as a result of many conversations with teens with
nowhere else to go, America for Youth Foundation was established
as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) status corporation. America
for Youth Foundation opened it's first youth center the
same year.
The
first Youth Center was successful in the following ways:
- During
the first month, we had over 1000 youth sign up and agree
to follow the rules (There is no cost to join, but the
youth must agree to follow the rules or not participate)
-
72 youth found jobs after school
- 6
youth back in school
- 4
runaways were reunited with their parents and were able
to work out their differences
- A
study groups was set up for the kids to help each other
with their studies
- A
library with over 2800 books was built
- 4
youth dances were held
- Street
cleanups were organized by the youth for the community.
Over 20 bags of garbage were cleaned up within 6 blocks
of the youth center alone!
- 2
youth were able to get into drug rehab and stay clean
- The
youth all had fun and loved participating in the center's
events
The
premise of the Youth Center is that the youth elect officers,
plan activities, and carry them out. The adults guide them
and approve the activities. As a result of the “teen
rule” method of planning activities, the youth were
very protective of “their place” and encouraged
each other to follow all the rules to the letter. The Youth
Center ended up with a very peaceful and friendly environment.
All
of this was achieved with no taxpayer money or public funds.
America for Youth Foundation depends upon dontaions and
charitible contributions to help establish these Youth Centers.
Without donations, America for Youth Foundation is unable
to provide the facilities necessary to help America's youth.
We
are currently raising money to open a LAN gaming center
which will be a permanent fund raiser for America for Youth
Foundation and a Learning Lab which will provide underprivileged
youth with the badly needed access to computers. |
