One of HAP’s YIP programs found unexpected inspiration this winter when a HAP youth worker decided to read aloud to a group of young men at a juvenile detention facility. He read from a book by Ron Glodoski about his experience in criminal and gang life – it was breakthrough with some of the toughest boys in Minnesota. The youth worker commented later that, “…Some of the kids were drug dealers too and were really touched by it. They were able to relate to it. They were able to hear that this is not an easy way to make money… and I saw that it got them thinking about how hard their lives will be if they go down this path.” Ron’s inspirational book came from the Thrive! Conference, where Ron had spoken in a session after HAP’s youth advisory board.
HAP Youth Editing Board with Mayor R.T. Rybak at the THRIVE! Conference
In addition to advocacy, YIPA has continued to provide the highest quality training services to youth service providers across the state, even during tough economic times when attendance numbers decreased substantially. In 2009, YIPA was able to reach 872 youth service providers through its training programs allowing for 21,800 youth to receive improved services and help on issues that impact their lives. In fact, 2009 produced one of YIPA’s most successful and unique training opportunities. For the first time ever, YIPA organized a statewide leadership conference specifically for youth called Thrive! Conference for All Youth. Sixty young people from youth intervention programs across Minnesota came together to learn about building a better future for themselves and their communities. Speakers came from all over the country to share their stories with this group of young leaders. Young people also shared their own visions for the future, including the Hmong American Partnership youth board, who presented strategies for community engagement. In the words of one youth worker from HAP, “The conference is a refresher. You are getting new ideas. Getting motivated. It’s kind of like a new year!”
YIPA is proud to support over 90 youth intervention programs across Minnesota like HAP by advocating for their continued resources, providing new inspiration for their workers, and giving their young people a chance to share their passion with others. In recognition of the amazing youth leadership we saw last year at the Thrive! Conference, YIPA is planning a 2010 Youth Leadership Training Conference to support young people’s efforts to advocate for change in Minnesota.
The Moorhead Police Department has been a member of YIPA for 31 years. They are a deeply rooted part of the community – young people who are originally court ordered to their programs come back freely to mentor the younger participants.
Last summer in a high-risk neighborhood a terrible shooting occurred and a teenage boy died. The shooter acted in self-defense during a break-in, but the community was outraged that the he was not tried. Racial tensions ran high that summer. In a park with a history of riots, young people gathered to vent their anger. Seeing the potential for violence, Brian Dahl, head of the Moorhead Police Department youth programs, thought quickly.
For two weeks that summer police officers took pizza down to the park every day. They waited patiently and over 40 young people came to ask them about the shooting. The police were able to explain what had happened in an open, honest way. Tempers cooled and there were no riots or retaliation that summer.
Because of a state YIP grant that provides financial support for program costs of the Moorhead Police Department's Youth Intervention Program, youth intervention officers were able to focus their time and resources to go out into the community and talk to young people. Without it, the situation could have ended much differently – with violence and numerous arrests. Instead, with the support of YIPA, some honest words and a slice of pizza saved the day.
No comments:
Post a Comment