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One of the most exciting developments of Make the Road by Walkingıs last five years has been the growth of our Youth Power Project which has highlighted the enormous opportunities generated by fostering and supporting youth-led community organizing efforts and integrating young people into the membership of our organization. The project sees young people as our organizationıs and our communityıs most valuable resource. Currently working with community residents aged 8-21, the Youth Power Project has three linked objectives: » To support young residents of our community as they develop into neighborhood leaders and leaders within the membership of Make the Road by Walking; »To foster and sustain youth-led and youth-driven community organizing in the Bushwick community; and » To support young people in actualizing their own personal, professional and educational ambitions. Our Work: Developing Youth-Led Organizing for High School Reform
Our Youth Power Project members are continuing a three-year struggle to promote effective and sustainable high school reform in our community. Their efforts have prompted city officials to begin addressing the shortage of high school seats in the community, dire facility needs, and safety concerns. This work has drawn local, citywide, and national attention to the key role young people can play in high school reform initiatives.
Partnerships with Area Schools
Two innovative new high schools in the Bushwick communitythe Bushwick School for Social Justice and Bushwick Community High Schoolhave partnered with Make the Road by Walking to support their continued success with students. Our work supports these schools in promoting positive civic engagement and a commitment to community among students and staff. Youth Power Project staff design and implement exciting, hands-on opportunities for students to explore social justice themes and neighborhood action projects.
After-School Programming
To complement our youth-led organizing work, Make the Road by Walking offers four days per week of after-school programming at our partner high schools and at our location. These activities include basketball, hip hop, dance, poetry and participation in our youth-written newspaper The Word on the Street. Additionally, Make the Road by Walking hosts the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment who offer after-school enrichment opportunities for children eight to 12 years. Through this program, our youngest members explore issues related to social justice and the urban environment, develop critical group work, leadership, and literacy skills, and contribute their energy and enthusiasm to our ongoing projects and campaigns.
For more information, contact:
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