2010 Year of YUGA
YUGA members have been busy this year - in schools, communities, and around the world. Take a peek into what we've been doing over the past year, and get excited for what's to come!
Be on the lookout for a new YUGA e-newsletter coming to you starting next month - with a fresh look, updated resources, and better ways to stay connected with each other.
New toolkits and a joint fundraising project for clean water and wells in Niger, West Africa will also be out soon. Stay up-to-date and you can win a trip to see the wells in Africa yourself!
Send updates to Corrie, Youth Engagement and Action Coordinator, at corrie.bonham@planusa.org so we can include YOUR stories in the next e-newsletter!
January: Response to Haiti Earthquake
- YUGA creates a collage of images and messages to our Haitian friends at Plan Haiti. All of the photos are sent with well wishes for recovery and safety from YUGA members, campers, and Plan staff.
- Cranston East and Parkview YUGA Chapters hold a concert, "Help for Haiti," where Cranston East YUGA members show a slideshow about Haiti. All ticket funds, as well as extra donations, are given to Plan for Haiti relief - a huge success!
- On January 31, Channel 10 News broadcasts a story on the monthly YUGA meeting, where YUGA members talk about the earthquake in Haiti with a Plan staff member on the ground. The sounds of helicopters in the background are a chilling reminder of the serious need in the area.
February: Singing Telegrams and Girls Empowerment
- The East Greenwich High School YUGA Chapter shares singing telegrams for a Valentine's Day fundraiser (Click here for the full story.)
- The Because I am a Girl Campaign is officially added to YUGA's campaigns of global poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate change, child rights, and child exploitation.
March: International Women's Day
- For International Women’s Day (March 8th), YUGA members attend the "Women of the World" summit at the United Nations, and listened to speeches by notable women, including Hillary Clinton and Plan activist Donnady. YUGA members read the Girl-A-Festo at an event hosted by Katie Couric and Queen Rania of Jordan, urging world leaders to take a stronger stance on girls' rights.
April: Earth Day, School Supplies, and Speaking through a Day of Silence
- April 20th marks the beginning of YUGA's Haiti School Supply Drive, and countless items are donated to Haitian schools affected by the earthquake.
- On April 24, YUGA partners with Community Works RI and Love Providence to clean up city streets for Earth Day!
- YUGA at Cranston East High School holds a Day of Silence for children’s rights. Sara, a Cranston East YUGA member, says, “Cranston East's YUGA Chapter participated in a Day of Silence on April 15 as a metaphor to the millions of children silenced everyday as child soldiers, laborers, or slave slaves. About 100 people gave their voice for an entire school day, to learn what it feels like to not have the ability to speak their minds. Thank you for everyone who participated! We promise to never lose our voices, and keep fighting for the children who deserve their rights!"
May: Rock Out for Haiti!
- Four bands participate in the Haitian Connections Benefit Concert, raising money to help bring Haitian youth to YUGA Leadership Camp over the summer.
June: Planning for Camp...
- YUGA takes a break from fundraisers and events to plan for YUGA Leadership Camp 2010!
July: YUGA Camp 2010
- YUGA Leadership Camp 2010 is a success! We were thrilled by the attendance of incredible YUGA members, familiar and new, from across the country and throughout the world. Workshops, guest speakers, simulations, and conversations help educate and inspire us all to take action on global issues.
- YUGA takes a stand against early child marriage by delivering 11,500 letters to all 100 Senators in support of the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Bill.
- September 15: About a dozen YUGA students meet with Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff urging a vote on the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage bill. Their stories, concerns and arguments show the unique impact of youth on this important issue affecting girls around the world.
- Several youth represent YUGA in El Salvador at the AMIGOS de las Americas conference, "Somos Voces Somos Región!" At the conference, YUGA youth speak with their peers from Latin America and the Caribbean about the creation of a interactive youth website called RED Voces. The website would bring the network of youth from ROA (Regional Office of the Americas), the USNO (US National Office) and the CNO (Canadian National Office) together to share best practices and then collaborate on joint projects. Overall, it would serve as common space for Latin American, Canadian and US youth to share, connect and inspire.
August: Launch of the International Year of Youth
- YUGA members Clare, Luis, and Heather went to New York City to speak at the United Nations for the launch of the International Year of Youth. YUGA members presented at the afternoon youth conference, and an evening reception for a photography exhibit with Shoot Nations. Shoot Nations is an international competition that asks youth to express themselves through photography on specific topics, such as 'city living as a girl or boy.'
New Resources!
Film Library - we're updating our film library to include more stories about the topics you're interested in- including climate change, fair trade, and children's rights. Check the YUGA website for our current list, and e-mail Corrie at corrie.bonham@planusa.org to rent a FREE film for your next YUGA meeting!
Mini Grants - need some start-up funding for an event or fundraiser? Apply for a mini grant to get the tools you need!
Toolkits - We're updating our online toolkits with recent information and new ideas to keep you current on the issues.
School to School Link - find out what youth just like you are doing around the world! Contact Kate Ezzes at kate.ezzes@planusa.org to find out how you can connect with youth through letters, videos, or even skype!
Stay Connected - text 'follow yugacentral' to 40404 on your cell phone to receive updates directly to your phone! Read the YUGA Blog at http://yugacentral.blogspot.com Like Youth United for Global Action and Awareness (YUGA) at www.facebook.com/yugacentral, and Follow YUGACentral on Twitter!
