Goals and Objectives
Action for Youth (AY) is a six year, grassroots initiative designed to build the capacity of communities to support youth and partners for the development of healthier youth. The cornerstone of AY is the development of "Action for Youth Partnerships" in El Paso, Southern New Mexico and Ciudad Juarez. Through these partnerships, the initiative hope to engage and empower people to work together in transforming their communities where youth and families are healthy.
This is to be accomplished by:
1. The Development of community Action for Youth Partnerships.
2. Supporting projects in parenting, mentoring, life-skills education, and activities for youth in the partnership communities.
3. Organizing media awareness campaigns around mentoring, voluntarism, and youth.
4. Conducting research on border youth issues.
AY was developed using recommendations of community planning partners and national research from The Search Institute. The Search Institute of Minneapolis has identified "40 Developmental assets" that protect youth and promote healthier life outcomes. Research demonstrates that the fewer of these external and internal assets that are available to youth, the greater the likelihood of unhealthy behaviors such as abstaining from drugs, staying in school, exercising, and eating well.
Action for Youth Partnership
The cornerstone of the initiative is the Action for Youth Partnerships consisting of youth, parents, and representatives from schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and businesses. Their purpose is to work together to transform their community into one where youth and families are cared for and supported.