[Knoxpromise] Applications for the Youth Action Council now available!

[Leah Adinolfi]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Margo Carpenter or
Leah Adinolfi
865-523-2775

A VOICE FOR YOUTH

Youth Action Council Looks for Teens to Continue Council

The Youth Action Council (YAC), a project in collaboration with the Mayors
of Knox County and the City of Knoxville, is looking for interested teens to
continue and expand the work started by the first class of representatives.
YAC currently has ten members and will be looking for 15 rising sophomores
and juniors for the 2005-2006 term.

The Youth Action Council is designed to ensure that youth in Knox County and
Knoxville have input into the policies that affect them and also to increase
awareness among government representatives about issues facing children and
youth.  Another goal of the project is for the members to experience
collaboration and team building, as well as leadership and public service.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” said Brandi Ashburn, chair of the Youth
Action Council.  “Working with teens from schools all over Knox County has
been fun and I really feel like we have started something great for the
community.”

“The ten founding members of the YAC have successfully answered the
challenge of building a council that uniquely impacts the community through
youth empowerment,” said Leah Adinolfi, who works for Knoxville’s Promise as
the Youth Action Council/Summit Director.  “I’m proud of all they have
accomplished this year.”

First Year Activities
In its first year, the YAC has worked to build a strong foundation by
developing the policies and procedures for their own self-governance.
Meanwhile, they have reached out to their peers to learn more about their
concerns through a survey of over 200 high school students.  The thoughts
and opinions taken from that survey have been shared with community leaders,
including high school principals and the city and county mayors.

A partnership was formed between the YAC and the YMCA after-school program
at Sarah Moore Greene to employ more than 100 teens as caring adults through
multiple service opportunities.  Youth volunteers have spent time with
elementary school students reading, playing games and doing art projects.

They have also worked with community members and Knoxville’s Promise to
coordinate the 7th Annual Alliance for Youth Summit scheduled for April 15,
2005.  For the first time ever in Knoxville, this event is being coordinated
by youth, specifically for youth.  The Summit will give teens an opportunity
to voice opinions and become more involved in the community.

Applications
The application process is currently underway and interested area rising
sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply.  Applicants should be
articulate, creative and possess the desire and motivation to make a change
in their community.  Applications and recommendation forms are available on
the Knoxville’s Promise website, www.knoxvillespromise.org
<http://www.knoxvillespromise.org> or by calling 865-523-2775.