Youth News from the Arlington Alliance for Youth
Youth Collaboration Breakfast Jan.25
The Youth Collaboration Breakfast on Jan. 25 is expected to bring community leaders and youth service organizations together to talk about the future of our youth.
The program will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Arlington ISD Professional Development Center located at 1111 W. Arbrook Drive.
Participants will hear reports to the community about the progress being made to help Arlington youth reach their full potential. The Alliance for Youth will award small grants to adults who work with youth on service-learning projects. The Alliance will also update the community on other signature programs such as Global Youth Service Day.
AA4Youth President Craig Weitz said the annual event provides an opportunity for more community organizations to work with the Alliance on initiatives that help youth succeed in school.
Motivational Speaker Justin Chapa will highlight this event with a keynote address on the value of collaboration.
To confirm your attendance by Jan. 18, click on the orange box to the right --and then the RSVP button.
Small Grants Can Create Better Lives
Christin Garrison's first thought when starting a yoga class at Dunn Elementary last year: go easy. Don't do too much too fast for fifth and sixth graders whose only connection to yoga might be giggling at the poses on television. It didn't take long for this certified yoga instructor who teaches adults at LA Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness health clubs to learn that she was dealing with little sponges ready and willing to soak up everything yoga.
Now the class is in its second year averaging 20 to 35 students each Monday in the school's Music and Motion room. "I totally believe that yoga helps you stay healthy, helps you stay mentally focused, gives you something to be grounded in," Garrison said. "It gives you a sense of confidence."
Having received a Small Grant from AA4Y, Yoga will continue at Dunn. In fact, Garrison has used the funds to purchase Yoga blocks, which provides the support or height; you need to do poses safely, effectively and with better alignment.
Garrison and Dunn were just one of more than 20 awardees of AA4Y Small Grants. With their funds, SafeHaven will take a trip to the aquarium, Martin High School Key Club will teach CPR to more than 200 students at Corey and Little elementary schools and Walking for the Moon will provide children with Sickle Cell with homemade handbags filled with gifts.
2012 Collaboration Breakfast is Jan. 20!
The way Dr. Scot Cressman sees it, every generation struggles to understand the behaviors of its youth. Today children are being raised in a world of risky behaviors, and often one that the adult society views as acceptable. That's part of the message Cressman will be delivering Jan. 20 at the Arlington Alliance for Youth Collaboration Breakfast.
Make sure you attend this annual event that brings
together key leaders and youth service providers in our community to hear reports to the community, share concerns, honor volunteers and develop collaborative initiatives to help our youth. The breakfast is sponsored by Chesapeake Energy and begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center located at 1111 West Arbrook Blvd.
Details of AA4Y signature programs for the coming year will be announced and Small Grant recipients will be recognized.
We will also unveil our new AA4Y logo!
Dr. Cressman is founder of the Power of Choice Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to personal empowerment. Dr. Cressman leads a team of motivational speakers whose mission is to redirect our youth towards positive behaviors with messages of hope and compassion.
Dr. Cressman earned a M.A. in Licensed Professional Counseling and a Ph.D. in Counseling before playing professional football, a career shortened by injury. Three years ago, he was invited to Texas to become a member of the Power Team, an evangelistic ministry performing feats of strength and sharing their biblical beliefs.
Determined to extend the message of empowerment to all members of the community, Dr. Cressman founded the Power of Choice Foundation and continues to travel around the globe making speeches. He has published three books, Breaking Through: Choosing a Life of Courage, Handling Your Hormones and Parenting for Parents
Submit Small Grants Now!
January 9 is the deadline for online application submission for an Arlington Alliance for Youth Small Grant. Organizations with proposed projects centered on academic or life skills, community service, or even semester of service, are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $300.
Organizations planning to submit an application should do it now. Applications can be submitted electronically by visiting www.arlingtonalliance4youth and going to the Small Grants section. Instructions for applying and the application form are available on the webpage.
Winners will be notified by January 16 with awards presented at the Youth Collaboration Breakfast on January 20 at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center located at 1111 W. Arbrook Blvd.
Semester of Service is a new grants category that encourages schools, church and other youth-serving groups to identify a community problem and develop a program that addresses it using the resources of youth. These projects require a minimum 70 hours of community service and will extend from Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January to Global Youth Service Day in April.
Each project must focus on meeting at least one of the Five Promises in America's Promise. The purpose of the Small Grants program is to provide support to adults that want to work with youth on service oriented projects. These grants are not intended to be donations to some larger cause. The project should receive a majority of its financial support from the grant, allowing for other minor donations or donations in-kind.
Alliance Leadership Ready for New Year
Jim Walther was already on board with such programs as Global Youth Service Day and the Youth Collaboration Breakfast when in October the Alliance For Youth Board of Directors unanmiously returned him to the leadership post that takes the organization forward in the new year.
As chairman, Walther said he will continue to build upon collaboration and the Alliance's signature programs. He will continue community efforts to grow recognition programs like the Sheris Growe Youth Service Leader of the Year Award, Extra Mile Award and Champions for Youth Honor Roll.
Jim Walther said collaboration is this year's number one goal. 
"By collaborating in our community we can make a huge difference," Walther said. "Our small grants wouldn't be what it is without collaborating with our partners. It just doesn't work trying to do it alone."
Since 2005, the Alliance has distributed nearly $50,000 in small grants to caring adults who are fulfilling promises to support and encourage youth development through service.
The retired U.S. Army major said he is ready to grow connections with a new generation of youths.
Other Alliance For Youth Officers are:
Craig Wietz (First Rate Inc.) as Executive Vice Chair, Dave Turney (Arlington Kiwanis) as Treasurer/Secretary, and 3 vice chairs--Amir Ajami (Southwest Kiwanis), Tim Cameron (YMCA of Arlington), and Marc Marchand (City of Arlington).
Volunteers Needed for AISD Dropout Prevention Effort
You can help keep kids in school by volunteering for Operation Graduation Walk on Saturday, Sept. 10. This is not a benefit race walk but a walk to the doors of previously enrolled students who did not return to school this fall for one reason or another. Civic groups, organizations and churches are especially invited to participate. Volunteers gather at each Arlington high school before fanning out in teams into the neighboring community to encourage those students to return to school. AISD administrators, including Superintendent Jerry McCullough (above photo, right) are with each group and can provide on-the-spot information to the student or guardian on what can be done to get them back in the classroom. The Arlington ISD is hosting this day-long effort from 8 a.m. to noon. All high schools will be open that day to re-enroll students. To volunteer, visit aisd.net/aisd/dop or call 682-867-7373. "Getting the community involved in home visits to try to get students back in school is a great way to show the students the support that is available to them," said Dropout Prevention Director Wendy Carrington. "It takes everyone to provide our students with a quality education, and this event is a great way for the community to take ownership in our children's education."
Arlington Gets Ready for Global Youth Service Day
The countdown to Global Youth Service Day is under way in Arlington. Youth groups around the city are joining coalitions, planning and registering their community service projects. Caring adults are assisting with grant funding and project tracking.
Organizers are also busy planning the “Thank You” celebration, which includes special awards, free food and live musical entertainment at Founders Plaza. Global Youth Service Day is Saturday, April 16.
To date, more than 570 service projects in 44 states have already registered for Global Youth Service Day, the largest service event in the world!
To learn more about grant opportunities, awards and registration, make plans to attend the GYSD Steering Committee Meeting at 9:30 Saturday, March 26, in Council Chamber. For more information, call 817-860-6752. Get involved.
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) Meetings & Deadlines Rescheduled
Due to school closing and adverse weather, the Alliance has cancelled the Saturday, Feb 5th Steering Committee Meeting, as well as extended some deadlines. If your school, church, scout troop, or non-profit wishes to participate, they may still do so by either forming a coalition of 5 or more youth groups, or by registering as an independent youth group. We have up to 30 coalition grants that we can give to those youth groups who get 5 or more youth groups to participate with them (click here).
GYSD Steering Committee Meeting Cancellation: The Saturday, February 5th, 9:30 am – 11 am, meeting , has been cancelled due to inclement weather. All coalition leaders are asked to attend the February 26th meeting. Questions prior to the meeting may be sent to timc@ymca-arlington.org.
The deadline for submitting Coalition Pledges has been extended to Monday, February 21st, allowing other schools, churches, scout troops, and non-profits to still qualify for a grant to help form your coalition and fund your project.
Registration Deadline for Youth Groups: All youth groups are encouraged to register immediately. However, an extended deadline of March 11th has been set for this registration.
For more information about how your youth groups can participate in GYSD, please click here.
Apply for Small Grants Dec. 10th-- Jan. 10th
Applications for Small Grants from the Arlington Alliance for Youth can be filed electronically beginning on December 10th. Applications must be filed by January 10th and winner will be notified by January 17th. Awards will be presented to grant winners at the Youth Collaboration Breakfast on February 18th at the AISD Professional Development Center.
Period Extended. As announced earlier, this year’s earlier filing period and grant awards will allow teachers and group leaders to have the entire spring and summer to complete their projects. Projects must be completed, and completion reports filed, again electronically, by September 1, 2010.
Categories. This year, grants of up to $300 will be awarded in three categories: Academic and Life Skills Development, Community Service and Semester of Service.
Objectives. The Alliance Small Grants program is meant to encourage youth, and their adult leaders, to do small community service projects in Arlington or in AISD schools at times other than Global Youth Service Day in April. Each project should focus on meeting at least one of the five promises (Ongoing relationships with caring adults; Safe Places with structured activities; Healthy start and future; Marketable skills through effective education, and Opportunities to give back to the community). They also must offer youth learning opportunities while identifying and solving community problems.
Endorsements Necessary. Each small grant proposal must be endorsed by the leadership of the group’s sponsoring organization (agency, school or church) or by a supporting civic club.
Project Planning Steps. The eight project planning steps are set forth in detail in the Small Grants Program section of the Alliance website: www.arlingtonalliance4youth.org. In summary, they are:
1) Review eligibility, deadlines and example projects;
2) Formulate a project that will help youth serve the community;
3) Submit a web-based application form (link provided) prior to January 10th;
4) Provide e-mail and contact information with application;
5) Attend the Youth Collaboration Breakfast February 18th to receive check;
6) Submit a news release and photos following the event (link on web).
7) Submit a completion form within a week following the event;
8) Permit a special presentation to your organization.
Again, more complete information is available on the Alliance website, www.arlingtonalliance4youth.org . Information on organizing a project or event also is available on the Youth Service America website: www.GYSD.org.
GYSD Organizational Meeting Scheduled November 11th
School and Community Organizations seeking grants for their work in developing coalitions for Global Youth Service Day next spring are urged to be represented at a planning meeting November 11th at the Junior League Building at Pioneer Parkway and Park Springs in Arlington from 4:30-5:30pm.
Coalition leaders will learn about available grants for coalition support and contests planned for participating youth groups at GYSD.
The Alliance plans to mobilize more than 3,000 children and youth to participate in the 23rd annual Global Youth Service Day, Saturday, April 16, 2011 in the Arlington-Mansfield area, according to Tim Cameron of the YMCA Teen Programs and chairman of the coming year's GYSD.
As in the past, the Alliance will provide grants to organizers of youth coalitions (at least five groups/clubs in a coalition). The coalition will organize their groups and provide administrative liaison for the Alliance to their groups.
This year, the Alliance has established three levels of participation in contests associated with GYSD: the Youth Service Leader of the Year award and the Best Service Project of the Year. Organizational winners and runners up in each of the three levels -- Elementary, Junior High and High School - will receive grants for their organizations to help with other community service projects that their organizations will want to complete the following year.
