Websites and local programs to help you take action NOW! Click on the links below to learn about the great things youth can do to change their world.

Local Programs:

Social Justice Education Project
The Social Justice Education Project (SJEP) is a two-year (four semester) student-led and mentor-facilitated critical research project of the University of Arizona’s Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (BARA) and the Mexican American Studies & Research Center (MASRC). The program, in partnership with the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American/Raza Studies Department, aims to empower students, particularly low-income Latina/o youth, by giving them the skills and opportunities to have a voice in social change, community development and educational policy and practice. Visit the SJEP website at http://socialjusticeproject.org.

Grrrls Literary Activism Project
The Grrrls Literary Activism Project is a program of KORE Press for high-school aged girls, which runs from October 2007-April 2008. The group meets once a week to discuss the work of women writers and write about issues they identify as important in their own lives. The works of participants are published through various mediums such as T-shirts, ‘zines and books. Participants meet at Casa Libre en la Solana on 4th Avenue. The cost is $50, but scholarships are available for those who express need. Contact Shannon Cain at 629-9752 or Shannon@korepress.org for more information. You can also visit KORE Press’ website at www.korepress.org.

YWCA It’s Time to Talk Racial Justice Program
The It’s Time to Talk Youth Program brings together youth from middle and high schools to work together to reduce discrimination, intolerance and hate. The program’s activities include planning and participating in the Annual Youth Forum on Race, conducting a grant round, facilitating presentations to other youth in the community, and more. The program is free of charge and takes place at various locations around Tucson. Contact Sarah Gonzales at 884-7810 x107 or sgonzales@ywcatucson.org for more information. You can also visit the YWCA website at www.ywcatucson.org.

Wingspan EON
EON Youth Program works to strengthen the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and straight ally youth community. Activities include peer and adult mentoring, ‘zine creation, workshops, visual and performance art projects, and other youth driven activities. Youth between the ages of 13-23 are invited to participate free of charge. Activities take place at the Eon Lounge in downtown Tucson as well as at Wingspan’s Community Center at 425 E. 7th St. Contact Courtney Jones at 624-1779 or courtney@wingspan.org for more information. You can also visit the Wingspan website at www.wingspan.org.

Websites:

The Student Conservation Association (http://www.thesca.org/): A website for young conservationists. You can find internships and volunteer opportunities around the country that provide valuable job experience and an opportunity to save the planet!

Think.MTV.com (http://www.think.mtv.com/): A place where everyone from sunny day volunteers to die hard activists can: "Get Educated, Get Connected, Get Heard, Get Active, and Get Rewarded".

Amnesty International USA Student Activism (http://www.amnestyusa.org/youth/): This website includes information about current issues, ways to get involved with Amnesty, as well as extensive tip sheets, tool kits, and other resources to take action around the social issues you care about.

Campus Activism (www.campusactivism.org): A networking website to share events, tools and resources with other students active in their communities around the nation.

Do Something (www.dosomething.org): A web community where young people learn, listen, speak, vote, volunteer, ask questions and take action to make the world a better place. The website contains ideas on how to start a ‘Do Something’ club, celebrity humanitarian profiles, and a volunteer opportunities search by zip code.

Project PlanIt (www.ysa.org/planit): A tool developed by Youth Service America to assist youth in creating a project plan, funding proposal and a press release for new service projects.

SERVEnet (www.servenet.org): A database of national volunteer opportunities available to search by zipcode.

TakingITGlobal (www.takingitglobal.org): A web community run by youth to connect youth around the world in finding information, inspiration and resources to get involved in improving their local and global communities.

UNICEF Voices of Youth (http://www.unicef.org/voy): A safe and supportive global cyberspace within which youth can explore, discuss and partner on issues related to human rights and social change with their peers and with decision-makers globally. On the website, you can enter competitions and contests, contribute your voice to blogs and message boards, and learn how to take action in your community.

YouthActionNet (www.youthactionnet.org): A website & training program to encourage young people to take action and make a difference in their local and global communities.

YouthBuildUSA (www.youthbuild.org): A program which young people serve their communities by building affordable housing. Also contains links to contact state representatives and senators, local officials, and election candidates.

Youth Policy Action Center (www.youthpolicyactioncenter.org): A website with resources for youth to voice their opinions on local, state and federal government policy. Contains volunteer opportunities, youth networking, toolkits and contact information for government officials.

YouthNOISE – (www.youthnoise.com): Across the globe, youth everywhere are making a difference. YouthNoise gives these world-changers a voice, a place to connect, and a place to inspire—and be inspired. An activist haven, a socially conscious sanctuary, YouthNoise invites youth to write, to learn, to think, and to act. A virtual conference hall, playground, coffee shop, and classroom, YouthNoise is where the difference begins.

Youth Venture (www.youthventure.org): An organization that helps youth start programs across the nation which benefit their schools and communities.