Tag: youth

MENTOR Celebrates National Mentoring Month

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A Time to Amplify and Expand Mentoring Opportunities for the Nation’s Young People

Press Release
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Jan 3, 2023 08:00 EST

BOSTON, January 3, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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January is National Mentoring Month, a time for Americans to celebrate the power of relationships, drive meaningful change, and expand quality mentoring opportunities for the nation’s youth.

One in three young people are growing up in the U.S. without a mentor, and over the past few years, this gap has persisted as the nation is building back after COVID-19. Without mentors in their lives, the unprecedented challenges young people experience — including a national emergency in children’s mental health — are only exacerbated. It is the responsibility of adults to respond with urgency and become a mentor.

MENTOR Chief Impact Officer Tim Wills says, “As we build back from a pandemic that disconnected so many of our young people from important relationships in schools and their communities, we have a keen awareness of the power of mentoring to help youth form identities, feel seen and heard, and forge their own paths to success. National Mentoring Month is our call to action for caring adults in our nation to step up and become a mentor to ensure every young person has someone they can call on.”

MENTOR’s research shows that when young people have a mentor, they are 75% more likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team and 92% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities. Adults who were mentored as youths are more than twice as likely to serve as mentors themselves because they know the power of these relationships.

This National Mentoring Month, MENTOR and the mentoring movement are encouraging adults to volunteer as mentors. To find a local program, go to the Mentoring Connector, the only national database of mentoring programs. Take action and join the growing mentoring movement today.

ABOUT MENTOR

MENTOR is the unifying champion for expanding the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships across the United States. 30 years ago, MENTOR was created to expand opportunities for young people by building a youth mentoring field and movement. The result: a more than 10-fold increase in young people in structured mentoring relationships. Today, MENTOR is the expert voice representing a movement that meets young people everywhere they are — from schools to workplaces and beyond. MENTOR operates in collaboration with 24 local Affiliates across the country, with more in development. For more information, visit mentoring.org.

Source: MENTOR

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January 3, 2023
SensoRy AI, Founded by Teen Inventor, Receives Funding and Partners With Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Orange County Fire Authority to Test Climate Solution

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Ryan Honary to work with organizations to further evaluate his “AI-Driven Wireless Mesh Sensor Network for Early Detection and Growth Prediction of Environmental Hazards”

Press Release
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Dec 14, 2022

IRVINE, Calif., December 14, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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At a time when many teens are planning for the near future, 15-year-old Ryan Honary is looking further ahead. He is passionate about saving the planet, and thanks to a new partnership between his company, Sensory AI, the nonprofit Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) and, most recently, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), he’s closer to creating a better future for humankind.

“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Nathan Gregory and Chief Brian Fennessy,” said Honary. “This new partnership with IRC and OCFA advances the SensoRy AI solution with the goal of protecting lives and the environment throughout California and around the globe.”

The Newport Beach teen invented an AI-driven early wildfire detection system. Utilizing a wireless mesh network of sensors and AI capable of predicting spread patterns, Honary’s low-cost network can be deployed anywhere and communicate in real-time via an app. A research grant from the U.S. Navy enabled SensoRy AI to build a team and further develop and test the technology in rugged environments. Honary was recently invited by OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy to present the SensoRy AI solution at UC San Diego’s WiFire Lab and received favorable feedback.

Honary began working with Nathan Gregory, Ph.D., Chief Conservation Officer of IRC, in 2021 to develop field applications for his concept. IRC manages 30,000 acres of fire-prone urban wildlands in Orange County. The system was field tested at IRC’s Native Seed Farm earlier this year with successful results.

“Ryan’s solution will enable us to monitor key factors that contribute to preservation and stewardship of our local wildlands. We believe this technology has applications that can potentially change conservation and land management everywhere,” said Dr. Gregory.

IRC sees such broad potential in this technology that it recently invested $250,000 of its own funds that will allow the network to be tested more broadly. In addition, Dr. Gregory will be joining the SensoRy AI Technical Advisory Board.

In November, OCFA Chief Fennessy also joined SensoRy AI as an advisor, and his team of fire-fighting professionals are assisting Ryan in further developing his platform.

“This technology has enormous potential to keep our first responders and our communities safe by helping predict, detect, and suppress wildfires,” said Fennessy.

Honary was recently selected to present his story and vision at the upcoming UNESCO Learning Planet Festival on Jan. 23-28, 2023, in Paris, France. His presentation is titled “The Future of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Environmental Solutions.” The Learning Planet Festival brings together hundreds of pioneering organizations and activists learning to take care of oneself, others and the planet.

About Ryan Honary

Ryan Honary is an award-winning 15-year-old student at Stanford Online High School, who has been putting his STEM-fueled passion for people and the environment into real action for years. While not developing science-based solutions to local and global climate challenges, Honary loves playing competitive tennis and, in support of a local not-for-profit, teaching it to autistic youth; singing and shredding on guitar; and surfing in his hometown of Newport Beach, CA. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Honary’s solution was originally developed in response to the devastation of the 2018 Camp Fire, including the deaths of 85 people and the destruction of over 18,000 structures at a cost of more than $16.5 billion. The invention earned him Grand Prize at the 2019 Ignite Innovation Student Challenge and established the Early Wildfire Detection Network, for which he was named the 2020 American Red Cross Disaster Services Hero for Orange County. He also earned a spot in the Top 30 Finalists at the 2020 Broadcom Masters.

About Sensory AI

In March 2020, Ryan Honary’s early wildfire detection system won the prestigious Office of Naval Research (ONR) Naval Science grant. This grant led to the formation of Sensory AI. The company has since received multiple rounds of funding from ONR for continued research and development.

About Irvine Ranch Conservancy

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the ecological health of urban wildlands in a way that fosters compatible human behaviors and inspires connections and partnerships. The Conservancy manages and restores approximately 30,000 acres of rare wildlands in Orange County, California, in partnership with public landowners.

About Orange County Fire Authority

Orange County Fire Authority is a regional fire service agency that serves 23 cities and all unincorporated areas in Orange County. OCFA protects over 2 million residents from its 77 fire stations located throughout Orange County. OCFA, founded in 1995, is a premier public safety agency providing superior fire protection and medical emergency services to our communities.

Source: SensoryAI

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December 14, 2022
11.3% of Middle and High Schoolers Use Tobacco Products, CDC Says

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Nov. 14, 2022 — More than 3 million middle and high school students said they used tobacco products in the last 30 days, the CDC reports.

That’s 11.3% of students surveyed. Overall, 16.5% of high school students and 4.5% of middle schoolers reported current tobacco use, the CDC said in its Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report.

The most commonly used products were e-cigarettes, followed by cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookahs, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products, and pipe tobacco. The findings come from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which was conducted January 18, 2022, to May 31, 2022.

“Commercial tobacco product use continues to threaten the health of our nation’s youth, and disparities in youth tobacco product use persist,” Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, said in a statement. “By addressing the factors that lead to youth tobacco product use and helping youth to quit, we can give our nation’s young people the best opportunity to live their healthiest lives.”

Broken down by groups, tobacco products had been used in the last 30 days by 12.3% of female students; 10.3% of males; 13.5% of non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Natives; 12.4% of Whites; 11.5% of Blacks; 11.1% of Hispanics or Latinos; and 3.1% of Asian students.

Tobacco use was reported by 16% who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual; 16.6% who identified as transgender; 18.3% who reported severe psychological distress; 12.5% with low family affluence; and 27.2% who reported getting mostly F grades.

Favors, marketing, and misperceptions of harm are major factors contributing to youths’ use of tobacco. Most youth who use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, want to quit, the CDC’s statement said.

“Youth use of tobacco products – in any form – is unsafe,” said the report. “Such products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm the developing adolescent brain. Using nicotine during adolescence might also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.”

The report said the ability to compare the 2022 survey findings to previous years is “limited” because of differences in data collection procedures.

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November 14, 2022
“There’s No Red Wave in the Data”: The Pollster Who Got the Midterms Right

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Tuesday afternoon, the gloom kept rolling in from smart Democratic operatives. The party would lose its House majority, but also kiss the Democratic Senate majority goodbye. The most optimistic spin was that a red wave would be perversely good news for President Joe Biden. Just look at 1994, when Newt Gingrich rode the Contract With America to the House speakership; two years later President Bill Clinton was reelected. Or the 2010 midterms, when Tea Party Republicans shellacked their way to power; two years later President Barack Obama was reelected. And hey, Biden may be personally unpopular, but he’s passed a bunch of legislation that voters like. So a midterm wipeout was to be expected, but it wouldn’t be the end of the political world for Democrats.

Get me rewrite, as they say in the old journalism movies.

Amid all the well-founded pessimism on Tuesday, however, there was one contrary voice. It belonged to Cornell Belcher, a Democratic strategist who worked on both of Obama’s winning White House bids, among many other campaigns. Here is what Belcher said to me yesterday long before polls closed: “I know this is counter to the narrative that the Republicans have been really successfully driving, but the closer we get to a majority of voters turning out, the lower the probability of Republicans being able to garner a majority. There’s no red wave in the data. This is supposed to be a bloodbath. This is supposed to be their wave election. They’ve got all the structural and momentum advantages. If they can’t get to 60 net seats in the House, it’s a monumental failure.”

Cornell Belcher appears on Meet the Press in Washington, D.C. Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022.

By William B. Plowman/NBC / Getty Images.

Plenty of counting remains to be done, but the 2022 midterm turnout numbers look likely to surpass the typical level, which has lately been around 37 to 40% of registered voters. And forget Republicans netting a gain of anything close to 60 House seats: The best they can do appears to be a pickup of about 30. Which would be enough for Republicans to grab a majority and make a lot of noise for the next two years. But it’s a long way short of a wave.

So how did Democrats defy modern midterm history and 2022 conventional wisdom? It’s worth looking at a few individual contests and one prevailing trend. Pennsylvania’s crucial Senate race showed the value of having a uniquely authentic and compelling candidate who connected with middle-class voters on economic and cultural issues—especially when the Republican opponent is a confection. John Fetterman’s campaign team—led by Brendan McPhillips, Rebecca Katz, and Fetterman’s wife, Gisele—didn’t just endure Fetterman’s emergency three-month campaign-trail absence when he was knocked down by a near-fatal stroke. They filled the void with a sharp, clever social media campaign that defined Mehmet Oz as a fraud and a carpetbagger. Fetterman’s doctors, who got him back into credible fighting shape, deserve credit as well. Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer—who dealt with a life-threatening drama of her own two years ago—relied on a similar genuineness to easily defeat a conservative Republican challenger.

In multiple races—Hillary Scholten’s for a House seat in Michigan, Wes Moore’s for governor in Maryland, JB Pritzker’s for governor in Illinois, and Josh Shapiro’s for governor in Pennsylvania, to name a few—Democrats placed a risky bet by funding extremist candidates in Republican primaries, the theory being that they would be easier to beat in a general election. Every single one paid off. Drawing stark distinctions was crucial, as California Democratic strategist Sean Clegg told me it would way back in July. “This isn’t the Democratic Party against the Republican Party. It’s the Democratic Party against the antidemocratic party,” Clegg said. “These candidates are the brownshirts of the Trump movement. We are confronting a choice as a country, and we may as well make that stark choice up front.”

Roe. Dobbs. Abortion rights. Shorthand it however you want, but the Supreme Court’s ruling in June reverberated, consistently, from the defeat of an antiabortion referendum in Kansas in August through the rejection of a similar measure in Kentucky last night. The impact was less direct, but nonetheless clear, in the New York governor’s race as well. The incumbent, Democrat Kathy Hochul, waged a low-key campaign for months that relied on spending millions on TV ads; a major theme of those ads was Hochul’s pledge to protect the right to abortion in her state. She got a lot of help motivating Democratic voters on that front from her opponent, right-wing Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, who cosponsored a House bill to grant full personhood rights to embryos.

Yet even with an effective last-minute Democratic freakout at the possibility Hochul could lose—Biden flew in to campaign with her, and from the left flank Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suddenly hit the streets with the governor—Hochul’s winning margin will probably end up in the mid-single-digits. Her weakness was reflected in five key New York House races, all of which went to Republicans, which may end up determining control of the House. The most painful loss was by Sean Patrick Maloney, running for a sixth term in a Hudson Valley district north of the city. That district, and many others, was a new one, configured by a special master appointed by a Republican state judge, in response to a proposed redistricting map that would have favored New York Democrats, a map pushed in part by…Maloney, in his role as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Given the surprising results across the country, it appears Maloney did a great job of helping elect Democrats elsewhere and a lousy one of holding onto his own seat: The district where Maloney chose to run would have gone for Biden by 10 points in 2020.

Speaking of the big picture: Belcher has earned the final word. The larger trend he points to from the midterms is generational. “There really are two electorates,” he says, “one older and one younger, fighting to take this country in very different directions.” For instance: The youngs helped save Fetterman in Pennsylvania, and the olds dominated for Ron DeSantis in Florida. Abortion rights have intense relevance to voters in their 20s and 30s, as does climate change and student loans and threats to democracy and racism. There will be a great deal of turmoil in the next two years that scrambles the dynamic. But in 2024 Joe Biden will be the oldest president to ever run for reelection—and to win, he’ll need to make sure younger Democratic voters keep showing up.

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Chris Smith

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November 9, 2022
Madonna’s Unwitting “Plastic Surgery Costume”: A Commentary on Class and Age

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Just when you thought Madonna might not have any sense of self-awareness, she goes and does something all too meta: puts scar makeup all over her face as part of her Halloween costume. It’s unclear just what, exactly, she was trying to “be” with this look, apart from Someone Who Just Left the Plastic Surgeon’s Office. Unless, of course, she wants to say she’s going for a “scarecrow” aesthetic (some ageist areseholes would jibe, “Ha! More like scarecrone!”). Others have posited she was trying her hand at being a “sexy zombie.” In any case, maybe she actually didn’t know that putting scars on her face like that would draw the obvious remark from viewers that it looks as though she just got another touch-up at the clinic and didn’t bother to wait to show it off “casually,” better known as: acting like it never happened at all.

Although making comments about people’s plastic surgery can be construed as a form of body shaming, the glaring spotlight on Madonna’s various procedures over the past decade have become difficult to ignore. Even in spite of the many filters she freely wields to make her face look somehow younger than it did when she was in her twenties (this being called “Madonna’s Face as Andy Warhol’s Philosophy”). And while some would say that her inability to “admit” her age by just “letting herself go” is part of the problem in terms of why women continue to remain obsessed with looking young by any means necessary (read: plastic surgery), what it really speaks to is the future of what “looking young at any age” will mean.

Many will already take note that, since even as recent a time as a show like Golden Girls, when Bea Arthur was sixty-three playing a woman in her fifties, those in the same age bracket now presently look much younger. While certain researchers tend to offer the idea that, for women, this has become a phenomenon because more females are having children later in life or not at all—which means the youth and beauty sucked from them while nurturing that child in their womb is bypassed—a key factor is the more widespread ability of various beauty “procedures” and products. Especially expensive ones that only celebrities like Madonna can afford.

Granted, Madonna likely wishes she hadn’t “needed” to start in the plastic surgery game until after the 90s, when even more modern advancements came along. Perhaps she would have preferred to wait for something less “invasive” like the vampire facial Kim Kardashian made notorious. Alas, Madonna received the pratfalls of being a baby boomer just as she received many of its benefits (e.g., the ease of climbing to the top without every pre-fame move being documented or, say, being positioned at a time in history when she could lay claim to doing everything “first”). And one of those cons, as it were, included subjecting herself to more “analog” beauty methods. Starting too soon, yet still seeking out nothing but the best money could buy (much like Elise Elliot [Goldie Hawn] in The First Wives Club, who famously stated, “It’s the 90s, plastic surgery is like good grooming”).

And it served her well for quite a while, save for a strange awkward phase in 2001 (for the entirety of the Drowned World Tour) that magically disappeared in 2002. As though she’d “switched surgeons” or something. In any event, Madonna’s ever-changing face has long been a topic of discussion, often heated. Indeed, M was perhaps more called out than ever when she graced the cover of New York Magazine in 2008 with “The New New Face” as an accompanying title meant to refer to a plastic surgery procedure that was all the rage among celebrities at the time. But by and large, the discussion about her face is rather minimal considering how overt the changes to it have been. Maybe that’s just another aspect of being in the upper echelon financially: no one questions what you do to your body that much for fear of getting slapped on the wrist in some unexpected way. In Britney Spears’ case, that partially resulted in an all-out revolt against recording new music.

While non-famous women have the advantage of looking younger for longer compared to their forebears thanks to a vastly increased quality of life (complete with regular dental care!), the fact remains that it is only celebrities and other assorted richies who will be able to truly buy their way out of the effects of time (and who knows, maybe even death at some point). Madonna might not be deemed the best example of this, but then, one can dredge up the insult-compliment, “You have to admit that she looks great…for her age.” And she certainly doesn’t look like Bea Arthur did in her sixties.

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Genna Rivieccio

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October 31, 2022
Millions of U.S. Students Still Vape, Despite Yearly Declines

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Oct. 7, 2022 — More than 2.5 million middle school and high school students in the U.S. use e-cigarettes, according to a new study from the CDC and FDA.

The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted between January and May, showed that 14% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students used nicotine devices at least once during the past 30 days. A year ago, the survey showed that 11.3% of high school students and 2.8% of middle school students reported vaping in the past month.

The numbers remain below 2019 data, which showed that more than 25% of high school students vaped. Even still, anti-tobacco and anti-vaping groups have urged federal regulators to eliminate flavored vaping products that are popular among teens.

In this year’s survey, 85% of teens who vaped said they used flavored e-cigarettes. The most used flavors were fruit (69%); candy, desserts, or sweets (38%); mint (29%); and menthol (27%).

“It is unacceptable that over 2.5 million kids still use e-cigarettes when there is a clear solution to the problem — eliminate all flavored e-cigarettes,” Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, told USA Today.

The FDA has banned flavored vaping products derived from tobacco. However, users have increasingly turned to synthetic nicotine products, which are often disposable and sold in a variety of flavors, the newspaper reported.

In 2022, teens reported several different favorite brands, in contrast to 2019, when JUUL was the most recognized brand. Among those who currently vape, 14.5% said their usual brand was Puff Bar, followed by 12.5% for Vuse, 5.5% for Hyde, and 4% for SMOK. In addition, nearly 22% said their usual brand wasn’t among the 13 listed in the survey.

About 28% of youth reported using e-cigarettes daily, and 42% reported using them on 20 or more days during the past 30 days.

In addition, about 55% of teen vapers said they use disposable e-cigarettes. About 25% use prefilled or refillable pods, and 7% use tanks or mod systems. Another 23% said they didn’t know what type of device they used.

“This study shows that our nation’s youth continue to be enticed and hooked by an expanding variety of e-cigarette brands delivering flavored nicotine,” Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, said in a statement.

“Our work is far from over,” she said. “It’s critical that we work together to prevent youth from starting to use any tobacco product — including e-cigarettes — and help all youth who do use them, to quit.”

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October 7, 2022
I Have The Right To Launches Nationwide Pledge to Support Students and Survivors of Sexual Assault

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Press Release
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Sep 20, 2022

WASHINGTON, September 20, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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In an exciting announcement and a first for the celebrated organization, I Have The Right To launches a nationwide pledge to ensure all students receive an education free from sexual assault.

The I Have The Right To Pledge is for students, parents, educators, and community members to publicly commit to supporting survivors of sexual assault and to protecting young people from future assaults. All are invited to sign starting today.

The Pledge is born from I Have The Right To’s work supporting and advocating for survivors of sexual assault following the 2014 assault of Chessy Prout, who co-founded the organization with her parents.

“The I Have The Right To Pledge is a public commitment to what we have known all along: that keeping students safe from sexual assault requires bold action from adults and from our institutions,” says co-founder Alex Prout.

The launch of the Pledge comes ahead of I Have The Right To’s fifth anniversary and coincides with the launch of the organization’s new website.

“We take our mission seriously,” says I Have The Right To Executive Director Elizabeth Zeigler. “We are creating an ecosystem of respect and support for students and survivors. Our new website is one such space: a place where students, parents, and educators can find the information, support, and avenues of action they need to make a difference against sexual assault.”

I Have The Right To was founded following the viral #IHaveTheRightTo social media campaign, in which millions of individuals made their own declarations against sexual assault, and following the release of Chessy Prout’s memoir by the same name.

Sexual violence is an epidemic among young people and in schools across the country. By the time students finish their education, 81% have experienced some form of sexual harassment. In middle school alone, one in five students experiences unwanted physical contact.

Once an assault happens, young survivors of sexual violence and their families face a cycle of shame, blame, and isolation. Worse yet, few perpetrators are held accountable. Out of 1,000 assaults, 975 perpetrators will walk free.

Says co-founder Susan Prout, “We are working towards the day where we can look back and say ‘I can’t believe students used to be sexually assaulted and told to be quiet.’”

To commit your name to ensuring all students receive an education free from sexual assault, sign the I Have The Right To Pledge today. You can also follow and engage with I Have The Right To on Instagram and LinkedIn.

About I Have The Right To

I Have The Right To is the hub for middle and high school students, parents, and educators looking for information, support, and avenues of action against sexual assault.

They provide actionable support and tactical resources to survivors of sexual assault and their parents and communities; curate curricula and training in partnership with middle and high school educators, administrators, and parents; and build online spaces that value and promote social and emotional education. Learn more at https://www.ihavetherightto.org.

Source: I Have The Right To

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September 20, 2022
International Conference on Engaging Youth in Combatting Historical Revisionism

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The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and the Institute of International Studies at Seoul National University to Host Global Conference to Share Best Practices in World War II Heritage and Youth Engagement

Press Release
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Jun 30, 2022

NEW YORK, June 30, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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To highlight best practices and deepen the role of memory and heritage sites in the promotion of more inclusive narratives and the countering of revisionist narratives of World War II, the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and the Institute of International Studies at Seoul National University are hosting “Countering Revisionism: Engaging New Generations in Memory, Truth and Justice around World War II Heritage,” an international conference at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City on July 7, 2022. The event will be accessible to a limited number of in-person guests and press, and accessible to all through a livestream.

The day-long event will feature presentations by representatives of Sites of Conscience and other cultural and heritage sites in four continents that share underrepresented narratives related to WWII, offer strategies to promote more inclusive histories for future generations, and provide tools to counter historical revisionism. In addition, a roundtable discussion will explore the importance of war heritage, the power of memory, and the ways that youth can take leadership roles in continuing these vital conversations. Videos from Sites of Conscience in multiple countries will also be shown, each sharing reflections from youth about the role these heritage and memory sites can play in countering revisionism.

Given the recent rise of neo-Nazis around the globe, as well as challenges posed by new media which has made the manipulation of historical facts and the spread disinformation that perpetuates bias and discrimination extremely prevalent, the conference will highlight strategies that heritage sites can adopt to combat these destructive trends and amplify underrepresented voices and experiences related to the war that can enrich our understanding of this history. After the conference, a report will be published summarizing the day’s findings and will be shared with heritage sites, journalists and other stakeholders. The conference’s agenda can be found here.

For more information, including how to attend the event in person and/or receive summaries of its conclusions, please contact: Ashley Nelson, International Coalition of Sites of Conscience Communications Director, at anelson@sitesofconscience.org.

Source: International Coalition of Sites of Conscience

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June 30, 2022
Announcing the Student Energy Solutions Movement – $150 Million Youth-Led United Nations Energy Compact
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Press Release
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updated: Jun 25, 2021
NEW YORK, June 25, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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Today, Student Energy, New Energy Nexus, and the Government of Denmark announced the launch of the Student Energy Solutions Movement to world leaders and governments at the United Nations High-level dialogue on Energy, Ministerial Thematic Forums. This new, youth-led, global Energy Compact bridges the gap between motivation and action by directly funding and actively supporting the deployment of 10,000 youth-led clean energy projects by 2030.

As one of the first governments to champion the initiative, the Government of Denmark announced their commitment as the first confirmed funder of the Student Energy Solutions Movement:

“Tackling climate change is the biggest challenge of our time and it will not be easy, but seeing the motivation, innovation, creativity, and drive that young people around the world today are showing gives me hope that we will achieve our goals. The kind of ambition demonstrated by Student Energy to support 10,000 youth-led clean energy projects by 2030 is precisely what we need in order to accelerate the energy transition and achieve SDG7. Denmark is proud to be a funding partner of this initiative,” says Asser Rasmussen Berling, Head of Department at the Centre for Global Climate Action at The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, Denmark.

Announcing the Solutions Movement Energy Compact

Student Energy’s Solutions Movement Energy Compact aims to resource and deploy 10,000 youth-led clean energy projects by 2030, creating structural change by putting real financial resources in the hands of the world’s most passionate youth. Funding required to meet this objective is $10 million by December 2021, and $150 million by 2030. The Compact will scale tangible action by young people 18-30 years old through a unique combination of project funding and education, training, and mentorship within Student Energy’s programs ecosystem.

Ambitions by 2030:
- Launch 10,000 youth-led sustainable energy projects or businesses
- Train 50,000 agile and employable youth workers, with a particular focus on reducing the energy skills gap in developing nations, and for women
- Deploy $150 million toward upskilling, mentoring, and directly financing early- and mid-stage youth-led clean energy initiatives
Quotes:

Meredith Adler, Executive Director, Student Energy —
“For decades, youth ambition and motivation have existed to transition our world to a more sustainable and equitable energy system, there just simply hadn’t been the resourcing to bridge that motivation into action. In launching the solutions movement, we’re shifting gears into taking action and deploying the energy and technology solutions we already have at our fingertips. I want to commend the High-level Dialogue on Energy for putting youth front and center, and for moving so quickly to get our global network engaged. It’s refreshing to see other organizations move with the same hustle and pace as the world’s young people!”

Danny Kennedy, CEO of New Energy Nexus —
“This is the decade to deploy the solutions we have at hand to address the climate crisis, and many of these solutions need to be youth-led. If these businesses are going to last decades, they are going to need the motivation and energy of young people to really disrupt the markets and overcome the incumbents that they’re going to challenge. We at New Energy Nexus are really excited to partner with Student Energy to develop this movement of guided entrepreneurship.”

Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) —
“Every stakeholder has a key role to play as we aim to meet the SDG7 and Paris Agreement targets, including youth, and I am pleased to see the leadership being demonstrated by Student Energy with this Energy Compact commitment. SEforALL’s first ever Youth Summit, held in February 2020, demonstrated our renewed commitment to bringing youth to the fore in this critical year, and it is great to see one of our organizing partners for the Summit come full circle by setting the pace for other young people to follow. This shows that beyond bringing their voices to the table, young people can design and fund the innovations required to achieve our energy and climate goals.”

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator —
“I warmly welcome the launch of the Student Energy Compact. It is a strong symbol of the profound shifts taking place in the development sphere where young people are no longer waiting for others to act. They are taking up the baton, driving forward transformation in critical areas, including when it comes to how our world is powered. With more and more groups joining by the day, the United Nations is building a broad coalition of action to spark a clean energy revolution that will improve the lives of millions of people.”

About the UNHigh Level Dialogue on Energy:

The UN Secretary-General will convene a High-level Dialogue on Energy during the 76th UN General Assembly on September 20, 2021 in New York, to accelerate progress towards achieving SDG7 by 2030. It presents a historic opportunity to provide transformational action in the first years of the Decade of Action. Ministerial-level Thematic Forums are bringing together key stakeholders virtually over five days to mobilize actions on the road to the High-level Dialogue on Energy. Ministers from national governments and leaders from business, civil society, and youth organizations showcased solutions on each priority theme and presented their Energy Compacts, outlining voluntary commitments and actions.

About Student Energy:

Student Energy is the world’s largest youth-led organization empowering young people to accelerate the sustainable energy transition. Since founding in 2009, Student Energy has worked with thousands of youth from over 120 countries, to build the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to take action on energy. Student Energy operates on a unique youth empowerment model, which means that initiatives are co-created with youth, for youth.

Student Energy also works with governments, the UN, and other decision makers to facilitate meaningful youth engagement and mobilize resources, coaching, and mentorship to support youth-led work. Student Energy has built coalitions with over 100 diverse partners, such as Indigenous Clean Energy, Sustainable Energy for All, HSBC Global, the Stockholm Environment Institute, DNV, WSP, and national governments like Canada, Denmark, and Sweden. Student Energy has stewarded CAD$10 million+ in funding to date, supported the development of over 280 youth energy projects, held 6 international Student Energy Summits, and attracted over 12.5 million people to its digital energy education platforms.

Media Contacts:

Shakti Ramkumar, Director of Communications and Policy
shakti@studentenergy.org
+1 (604) 445 4306

Meredith Adler, Executive Director
meredith@studentenergy.org
+1 (604) 354 2930

Sean Collins, Co-Founder
scollins@studentenergy.org
+1 (780) 232 0339

Source: Student Energy
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June 25, 2021
World’s Youngest Future Astronaut, Zainab Azim, Continues to Inspire the World

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Press Release
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updated: Jul 17, 2019

TORONTO, July 17, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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16-year-old Zainab Azim, the World’s Youngest Future Astronaut, has become a sought-after inspirational speaker at International Conferences in Europe and North America.

Zainab was recently invited by the Technological Aerospace Cluster (DTA) to attend two international events in Puglia, Italy. During her inspirational speeches on May 29-30, Zainab passionately spoke about the importance of investing in the next generation to encourage interest in STEM fields among youth. As an outspoken advocate, she elaborated on why both education and space exploration are essential to addressing some of the earth’s challenges. Zainab also candidly shared that her knowledge of space was obtained through personal research. “In order to get more young people interested in STEM and astronomy fields, in general, we need to educate,” said Zainab. “There are still 52 million children around the world that still don’t have an education.” She emphasized the importance of education, mentorship and access to opportunity for all. Zainab reiterated how essential it is to work together with women, people of color and youth to secure a future for the next generation to thrive and not just survive.

Zainab’s passion for space exploration started when she was just 6 years old as she began learning about the solar system. In addition to her natural curiosity, Zainab’s parents and teachers helped to foster a love of space by providing access to quality resources. Zainab says she is inspired by female astronauts and their groundbreaking achievements, such as: Roberta Bondar, Sally Ride and Anousheh Ansari (the first female private space explorer), who has personally encouraged the teen in her endeavors.

In 2015, Zainab was featured as part of, as well as invited to, speak at the inaugural International Space Girls Space Women Exhibition in Paris, France. This organization supports girls with space exploration dreams by connecting them with women in the industry. Through this, as well as her other initiatives, Zainab endeavored to inspire the equal opportunity for all projects globally, with special focus on diversity and inclusion. Zainab’s accomplishments have been featured in the media both nationally and internationally including: Time Magazine, CBC, CTV, CHCH and CityNews.

Zainab is the youngest future astronaut to fly with Virgin Galactic, which will allow her to fulfill her dreams of exploring space in the near future. As the 50th anniversary of the first person on the moon approaches on July 20, Zainab remains focused on inspiring other girls to get an education and dream big: “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars.”

Zainab continues to be a highly sought-after inspirational speaker with various International engagements. In particular, Zainab is looking forward to speaking at one of the most important International events in September in the presence of the host country’s Prime Minister.

For Interview Requests, Press Conference Bookings or Speaking Engagements with Zainab Azim, Please Contact:

Dr. Rabiya Azim, azim@minmaxx.com, +1-647-889-1444

Source: Zainab Azim Inspirational Talks

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July 17, 2019
The Future Looks Brighter: Youth-Led Nonprofit Organization Helps Thousands of Colorado’s Homeless

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Don’t give up on the next generation. Student-run nonprofit is working to serve Colorado’s homeless while still in high school.

Press Release
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updated: Feb 4, 2019

DENVER, February 4, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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Helping the Homeless Colorado is a Denver-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those individuals within the community who face homelessness. The organization was founded by high school students, Alyssa Gorkin, Matine Khalighi, and Ali Ginsburg in 2016. Inspired to bring together their community, this group of youth looked towards its members who were left behind. Built firmly on a foundation rooted in advocacy and education, Helping the Homeless Colorado works to create a comprehensive structural solution to tackle this issue at its core and putting forward relieving efforts. Taking this one step further, the group works to educate and empower other youth to take a personal stake in the community’s future.

The first pillar of action addresses advocacy. This pillar is fundamental in bringing to light policies that will engage our community in proactive and supportive activities that bring awareness to a system filled with missing policies. Many times, there is a lack of policy governing certain socioeconomic groups. By nature, this allows for the recognition of people as less than or unimportant in our communities.

Education, the second pillar, plays a vital role in reshaping the public view on homelessness. By educating the public on the aspects of the issues that surround the homeless community, the group is able to peel back stereotypical perceptions of the homeless and focus on moving forward with effective social change initiatives within the community. Helping the Homeless Colorado puts a large emphasis on youth involvement in social change.

Lastly, Helping the Homeless Colorado’s overall goal is to alleviate those in the community struggling with homelessness. This is accomplished by dedicating efforts toward accessible resources and youth involvement in the group’s initiatives. The organization sets “outreach days” in which they pass out hygiene products, food, and winter clothing to the homeless. Also, in this pillar, the main objective is to help those youth who face homelessness in our communities. Through initiatives such as the Scholarship Program, this group has been able to help high school seniors make strides towards higher education, ensuring a more stable future.

Homelessness continues to be one of this country’s most intractable social issues. However, Alyssa Gorkin, Matine Khalighi, and Ali Ginsburg, as well as a constantly growing community of interested supporters, believe that it is up to them to reach out a helping hand to those in need. The organization is firmly rooted in the principle that this is their community and, as such, their responsibility. They believe that together we will be able to make tremendous strides towards a brighter future for our homeless population.

To find out more and get involved visit: www.helpingthehomelesscolorado.org. Email them at info@helpingthehomelessco.org. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram (@helpingthehomelesscolorado), Twitter (@_HTH_CO). Their mission is to create a comprehensive structural solution to homelessness that addresses the issue at its core and to empower our youth to be the basis of this change.

Media Contact:

Matine Khalighi
matinek@helpingthehomelessco.org
303-570-5927

Source: Helping the Homeless Colorado

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February 4, 2019
Opinion: Are Kids Being Set Up for Medical Abuse?

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WANTAGH, N.Y., January 18, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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The recent news stories about Dr. Larry Nassar allegedly molesting as many as 125 young girls demonstrate that that we can’t always trust our clinicians. Yet, we live in a society where we too often hear, “No medical professionals wake up in the morning wanting to harm their patients.”

Child abuse by medical professionals is not common, thank goodness, but it does happen. That’s just one reason why Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy (CPSEA) goes into high schools and encourages young people to open up about their experiences and talk with each other about their patient/clinician relationships.

“This should be a relationship of trust where a young person can be treated with respect and dignity. . .”

Ilene Corina, President, PULSE Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy

By high school age, children should be prepared to visit their doctor alone. They need to share information that they may not want their parents or another adult to hear. This should be a relationship of trust where a young person can be treated with respect and dignity, can ask hard questions and disclose the most difficult concerns: depression, sex, drugs etc.

“I had an early encounter with two sisters who called their doctor ‘creepy’ during a teen discussion about medical care and preparing to see their doctor,” explains Ilene Corina, a patient safety advocate and educator for Pulse CPSEA. “This experience disclosed problems in the relationship so I started teaching patient safety to young people, with the support and guidance of qualified medical professionals.”

Other topics Pulse CPSEA addresses with classes as early as middle school are preparing for the doctor’s visit with questions; appropriately and fully explaining symptoms for the best diagnosis; and medication safety. The presentations are fun and interactive and leave classes recognizing the importance of becoming “Informed and Involved” patients.

To learn more about Pulse CPSEA and its school programs contact Ilene Corina (516) 579-4711 or e-mail icorina@pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org

Related stories:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/molestation-victims-coach-lashes-olympic-doctor-nassar-court/story?id=52404442

http://www.norwalkreflector.com/Health-Care/2016/12/29/Doctor-accused-of-violently-molesting-raping-1-200-children-recorded-abuse

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/us/06pediatrician.html

Source: Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy

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January 18, 2018
Operation LIPSTICK is Featured in People Magazine

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Press Release
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updated: Oct 26, 2016

New York, NY, October 25, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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A new approach to reduce gun violence is getting results—and People Magazine has the story in a Special Edition with Ellen DeGeneres on newsstands now. Operation LIPSTICK (Ladies Involved in Putting a Stop to Inner-City Killing) stops women from straw purchasing guns for felons, juveniles, and other people who can’t buy guns legally. Straw purchasing by women is a major source (http://operationlipstick.org/operation-lipstick/) of guns used in homicides and other violent crimes in cities throughout the country.

Every day, women are exploited to move guns into the hands of drug dealers, convicted felons, gang-involved youth, domestic abusers, and more. Men who cannot pass a criminal background check often turn to women to buy guns for them in what’s known as a “straw purchase.”

LIPSTICK reduced gun crimes by women 33%

Nancy Robinson, Executive Director

LIPSTICK keeps guns out of the wrong hands and youth out of the criminal justice system. LIPSTICK has been credited with a 33% reduction in gun crimes by women and girls in Boston.

The non-profit has chapters in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. The organization is now raising money through crowd funding to expand to more cities.

Straw purchasing cases involving women underscore the need for LIPSTICK in urban communities across the country:

Chicago

A Chicago man with a criminal record paid a female security guard $800 to buy four guns for him at local gun stores. (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-05-12/news/ct-met-guns-straw-purchasers-20130512_1_kenneth-lee-gun-violence-straw-purchasing) Research by Northwestern University shows that 15% of guns recovered from male gang members were first bought by women

Philadelphia

Last month, a press aide to Philadelphia’s District Attorney was investigated for straw buying an AK-47 for her boyfriend.(http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160923_DA_s_press_aide_under_investigation.html)

Harlem and Bronx

In the largest gun trafficking bust in New York City history, the trafficker used his girlfriend to smuggle and resell weapons. (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/largest-seizure-illegal-guns-announced-article-1.1430629)

Milwaukee

The handgun used to shoot a Milwaukee police officer was purchased by a woman from The Gander Mountain store.(http://www.wisn.com/article/man-who-shot-officer-had-accomplice-documents-say/6332517)

Minneapolis

The 23-year-old wife of convicted trafficker straw purchased six guns in five separate transactions at the same gun store. The guns were used in Minneapolis-area shootings.(http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/03/17/guns-straw-purchase-sentencing/)

Oakland

A woman bought 35 guns for crack dealer. Several of the guns were found at Oakland crime scenes. (http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2014/10/03/oakland-guns-illegally-purchased-in-oregon-turn-up-at-crime-scenes/)

Ft Myers, Florida

A woman was arrested for straw purchasing the gun used in a nightclub shooting that killed two youth. (http://www.news-press.com/story/news/crime/2016/07/29/more-victims-identified-club-blu-shooting/87727494/)

For more cases, visit LIPSTICK’s Women and Crime Guns database.

LIPSTICK transforms female straw purchasers into leaders, mentors and spokeswomen. They make presentations in beauty salons, community centers, schools, after-school programs, churches, and domestic violence and homeless shelters. They warn women not to be duped into buying, hiding or holding guns for partners and male friends and family members who can’t get guns legally.

“Nobody’s doing what LIPSTICK is doing,” said John Jay College professor of criminal justice David Kennedy. “Their combination of grassroots action and their focus on establishing a community moral imperative against gun trafficking is particularly original and timely. ”

Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley stated, “I’ve have been telling Hillary Clinton, Mayor DeBlasio, Mayor Walsh, and anyone else who will listen, LIPSTICK is the right fix.”

“I’m making a difference when someone who is misguided on what love is, who is willing to go to jail for someone else, makes a turnaround, “ said LIPSTICK Program Director Judy Rose.

LIPSTICK leaders who took part in the story include:

• Ruth Rollins, LIPSTICKS’ first Program Director whose 21-year old son Danny was found shot to death in 2007

• Rashandra Riley, former Ohio straw purchaser who testified before Congress (https://youtu.be/i5tYvzDuyqA ) and is now a mother with a Master’s degree. Ms. Riley is seeking to launch LIPSTICK in St. Louis

• Judy Rose, LIPSTICK Program Director, mother, nurse and community activist with a passion for educating and empowering women and young girls

• Shante Leathers, LIPSTICK Social Media and Outreach Director, a senior at Wheelock College earning her Bachelor’s Degree in social work

• Iesha Sekou—founder of Harlem’s Street Corner Resources and director of the New York LIPSTICK office

• Nancy Robinson, LIPSTICK Executive Director

• Ayanna Pressley, the first African American woman elected to Boston City Council and LIPSTICK board member

• David Kennedy, author of “Don’t Shoot,” director of National Network for Safe Communities at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice

About LIPSTICK

LIPSTICK is women helping women keep guns out of the wrong hands and create safe neighborhoods where children can grow up without the fear of gunfire.

31 Heath Street Suite 12
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
www.operationlipstick.org
info@citizensforsafety.org
(617) 233-5363

Source: LIPSTICK

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October 25, 2016
Church of Scientology Brings the Truth About Drugs to Nashville Youth

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Drug-Free Tennessee marks International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with drug prevention.

Press Release
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Jul 1, 2016

Nashville, Tennessee, July 1, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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Ranked number 4 this year in Forbes’ list of best American cities for jobs, Nashville, boasts a “high quality of life, vibrant culture and music scene and a diverse population” making it “a desirable place to live.” However, the city has its problems too. NeighborhoodScout.com reports the city’s violent crime rate is one of the highest in the nation.

Volunteers of Drug-Free Tennessee are addressing this problem by reaching out with the truth about drugs. And the reason is simple: the U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center has found that drugs area factor in 28 percent of robberies, 37 percent of burglaries and 39 percent of larcenies.

We are committed to bringing the truth about drugs to everyone. When youth know what they are really getting into, they have a chance to avoid a lot of pain and suffering. We will go to anyone, anywhere in the region to spread the Truth About Drugs message.

Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology Nashville and coordinator of Drug-Free Tennessee

Drug-Free Tennessee is a chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. They work to reduce demand for drugs through education.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “prevention strategies based on scientific evidence working with families, schools, and communities can ensure that children and youth, especially the most marginalized and poor, grow and stay healthy and safe into adulthood and old age. For every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future health, social and crime costs.”

Foundation for a Drug-Free World chapters around the world mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with drug prevention activities.

Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology Nashville and coordinator of Drug-Free Tennessee, explained why these volunteers hold drug education lectures and distribute The Truth About Drugs booklets on this day and throughout the year. “We are committed to bringing the truth about drugs to everyone,” he said. “When youth know what they are really getting into, they have a chance to avoid a lot of pain and suffering. We will go to anyone, anywhere in the region to spread the Truth About Drugs message.”

International Day Against Drug Abuse was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime is leading the global campaign to raise awareness about the major challenge that illicit drugs represent to society as a whole, and especially to the young. The goal of the campaign is to mobilize support and inspire people to act against drug use.

The Church of Scientology supports the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which provides an educational curriculum for students designed to give all of the basic facts of how drugs affect the body and mind. To learn more, order booklets or schedule a visit to your school, group or congregation, visit drugfreetn.org.

Source: ScientologyNews.org

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July 1, 2016
Daley Plaza Announced as Official Location for Spark Chicago’s Discovery Day

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Hundreds of CPS Middle School Youth and Spark Mentors to Showcase Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at Inaugural Citywide Celebration

CHICAGO, IL, March 15, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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Spark today announced its inaugural citywide Discovery Day event will take place on Daley Plaza on June 10, 2016 to celebrate hundreds of Chicago middle school youth who are participating in workplace-based apprenticeships with Spark mentors at companies like Google, KPMG, Tyson Foods, West Monroe Partners, and more. The event will showcase the talents of over 300 students through hands-on projects like making films, creating websites and video games, pitching new businesses, building mobile applications, robots, and more.

Discovery Day is sponsored by leading Chicago companies and is hosted by the Spark Chicago Board of Directors. The event committee includes Charles Calloway of Chapman and Cutler LLP, Jim Evans of Entertainment Cruises, Kyla Kelly of Google, Ashley Lavin of Northern Trust, Robin Lavin of the Osa Foundation, David Leiter of KPMG, Neil Mann of Chapman and Cutler LLP, Kristina Oderinde of KPMG, Gordana Radmilovic of West Monroe Partners, and Marta Stein of McGuireWoods LLP.

“I am working with my Spark mentor Jordan on a project to make Chicago a better city for all of us,” said Armon, Spark student from North Lawndale. “I want to thank the City of Chicago for allowing Discovery Day to take place on Daley Plaza. I hope a lot of people will visit my booth to hear my ideas for our city.”

Armon, 7th Grade Spark student in North Lawndale

Since the launching of the Chicago program in 2011, Spark has served over 1,000 Chicago Public School (CPS) students. Through dynamic apprenticeships, Chicago’s youth are exploring career fields including entrepreneurship, STEM, law, architecture, and more. These workplace experiences empower students to dream big and envision themselves working in some of the nation’s top industries and companies.

“I am working with my Spark mentor Jordan on a project to make Chicago a better city for all of us,” said Armon, Spark student from North Lawndale. “I want to thank the City of Chicago for allowing Discovery Day to take place on Daley Plaza. I hope a lot of people will visit my booth to hear my ideas for our city.”

Discovery Day is the culminating event of a yearlong program in which 7th and 8th graders work with volunteer mentors at the workplace. The event will feature Spark students engaging the entire City of Chicago through interactive displays and presentations showcasing their skills in technology, business, design, and beyond.

In 2004, Spark was founded by two educators who saw early intervention as a tool to help under-resourced youth build the confidence, skills and career awareness to thrive in school and in the workforce. Spark successfully gets students on track in key areas of attendance, behavior, and grades. What’s more, Spark students transition to high school at rates higher than their counterparts. Evidence shows that by combining project-based learning with engaging mentors in the workplace and a 21st century skill-building curriculum, Spark students enter high school engaged, on-track, and ready for success.

“Investing in Spark is a commitment to the future,” said Kathleen St. Louis Caliento, Ph.D., Executive Director of Spark Chicago. “Spark students represent the promise of tomorrow, and with the support of our partners and the Chicago community we are hopeful that we can reach even more students in the years to come.”

Spark’s leading investors in Chicago include CEB, Deloitte, Finnegan Family Foundation, Google, KPMG, Osa Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Pritzker Foundation, Steans Family Foundation, Tyson Foods, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, West Monroe Partners, and Zell Family Foundation. Starcom MediaVest Group is Spark’s media sponsor. Spark is a proud partner of Chicago Public Schools, the City of Chicago, and Department of Family and Support Services.

Spark is grateful for support of the program and the Discovery Day event. Individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations interested in supporting and contributing to Spark and Discovery Day can visit DiscoverSparkChicago.org. Follow Spark on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @SparkProgramCHI and use #DiscoverSpark to follow the Discovery Day excitement.

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ABOUT SPARK:

Spark is a national non-profit organization that provides life-changing apprenticeships to middle school youth in underserved communities in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and the San Francisco Bay Area. We re-engage underserved seventh and eighth grade students in their education, keeping them on track and ready for success in high school and beyond through workplace-based apprenticeships that uniquely combine mentoring, project-based learning, skill building and career exploration.

Spark partners with Chicago Public Schools to serve school communities on the south and west sides of Chicago including Ariel Community Academy, Chavez Multicultural Academic Center, Deneen School of Excellence, Dewey School of Excellence, Frazier International Magnet School, Irvin C. Mollison Elementary School, John Fiske Elementary, John Milton Gregory Elementary School, Legacy Charter School, Namaste Charter School, National Teachers Academy, and Perkins Bass Elementary.

For more information, visit sparkprogram.org. Follow the excitement on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @SparkProgramCHI using #DiscoverSpark.

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March 15, 2016