Group Leaders at YAC Attack! '12

Andrea Gomez: JCA and Diversity training

Just Communities of Arkansas (JCA) is an organization that advances diversity in the community, by challenging harmful (and often wrong) assumptions and promoting understanding and respect through educational programs and advocacy.  Their programs are available for adults and youth in Little Rock neighborhoods.   Andrea Gomez is the current Youth Programs Director for Just Communities of Arkansas.  She will lead a break session on Diversity and how YACs can be advocates of diversity in their communities.  Andrea will also bring some of the youth involved in the programs at JCA. To learn more about this organization, click here. 

Samantha Minster: Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support

The Department of Human Services strengthens community resources, volunteerism and national service in Arkansas through their Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support (DCSNS).  They offer training, technical assistance and information to all Arkansans.  Samantha Minster is a Volunteer Program Coordinator for NW Arkansas DCSNS and provides multiple trainings for volunteer and nonprofit organizations.  She will lead a discussion the role of your YAC and fostering ideas for community service.

Fishsticks and Milk

This may sound like something you eat when there is nothing left in the fridge but it is actually a nonprofit based in Ottowa, Illinois.  Tyler Amm and his friends co-founded the group in 2009 in response to small town blues.  They saw an increase in "bad behavior" among their peers and they wanted to give people in their community a place to hang out without the pressures of daily life.  They host numerous events such as talent shows, band showcases and dance parties and hold fundraisers and donation drives for their community.  Though they are serious about philanthropy, the group of Fishsticks and Milk always know how to have fun.  Many of their funny antics are caught on video and you can check them out on their official facebook page. 

Tyler Amm will be a keynote speaker for YAC Attack! ’12!  Don’t miss it!

KYE-YAC International

KYE -YAC International is a philanthropic organization in Hot Springs, Arkansas created by kids, for kids.  Kye Masino, the founder of KYE-YAC , began this group to focus on fundraising efforts to improve health care, education and exposure to the arts so that children can succeed in life.  To date, KYE-YAC has raised $30,000 for the Arkansas Rice Depot’s Food for Kids Program, donated money to the Hot Springs YMCA Education and Learning Center and given time and money to local charities in Arkansas.  Kye was honored for his efforts as the volunteer of the year by the Arkansas Rice Depot at its annual Thanks-for-Giving luncheon. 

Kye Masino will be one of our keynote speakers at YAC Attack! ’12!

To learn more about KYE-YAC, check out the website! 

http://www.kyeyac.org/index.php

Kye Masino talks to KARK News host, Craig O'Neill, about "Kye Bears."  

These bears can be purchased to support a hungry child in Arkansas.

Live 2 Give: YAC Attack! '12

“Pumped” does not even begin to describe how we feel about the upcoming YAC Attack Youth Philanthropy Conference on February 17^th and 18^th!  Are you ready?  Here’s a checklist of things you should do before you attend YAC Attack! ’12:

1.       Tell all of your YAC friends (why keep this great news all to yourself?)

2.       Brush up on your totem pole construction techniques (YAC Attack! ’11 gave each team a chance to make its own “totem pole” to describe its unique group of teens)

3.       Vote on your favorite tee (click here to vote!)

4.       Register to attend YAC Attack! ’12 (click here to register!)

5.       Get excited! 

E-mail us at yac@arcf.org if you need any help or have any questions!

Happy Tuesday!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From all of us on the YAC team, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!!

We hope you will reflect on how to make your YAC a better program so when you return to your meetings in 2012 you will have fresh ideas and a new perspective on how to have a great grant cycle!

Don't forget to sign up for YAC Attack! and vote on your favorite t-shirt at http://arcf.org/TransformArkansas/YouthAdvisoryCouncilsYAC/2012YACAttack/tabid/348/Default.aspx!

Cheers,
The YAC team

Arkansas YACs: A trip down diversity lane

It’s always great to see the diverse audiences that the YAC program involves. When you have a program that reaches state-wide, you will find different structures, different members, and different community projects. With that said, the overall YAC program is just as diverse as the young people involved in its efforts. Very cool, right?

I had the privilege of traveling to Jonesboro to meet with the Craighead County YAC last Thursday. The Craighead County YAC meets at City Youth Ministries every month or so and has about 10 members. Jerry, Lisa, and Blake are the three advisors that are supporting the YAC and their community efforts. At the meeting we discussed different opportunities for them to help out in the community. They listed possible community service projects. They also discussed potential grant opportunities for school organizations that work to enable students to have a voice. It was a great meeting with lots of valuable discussion. We’ll be seeing great things from the Jonesboro YAC AND I have no doubt that we’ll see them at YAC ATTACK!

Until then...

Lea

Diversity: a definition

(di’vûr’si tē) n.

1.      1. variety.  2. the spice of life.  3. holidays with your eccentric (for lack of a better term) family. 

Whatever definition you think of when you hear the word “diversity,” what should be in the forefront of your mind is “YAC.”  Youth Advisory Councils depend on diversity to be effective.  How else will you understand the needs of your community if your YAC doesn’t reflect the people within the community?  Think of your YAC as a bowl of ice cream: you put more than just ice cream in the bowl, right?  You sniff through the buffet, sorting through every delicious combination of sweets imaginable: caramel; chocolate; sprinkles; cookie dough; cherries; nuts; hot fudge (are you drooling yet?).  You can’t make a sundae without the different toppings.

The point is this: One kind of person does not a YAC make.  As YAC members, every one of you should always be looking for ways to improve not only your community but the diversity of your group.  A diverse group opens doors to different ideas that one person can’t think of on his or her own.  You guys are a sounding board for each other so take advantage of the knowledge all of you can gain from other people’s insights. 

If the ice cream analogy didn’t tickle your cranial taste buds, here’s a great quote that might: 
“Great achievements are not born from a single vision but from the combination of many distinctive viewpoints. Diversity challenges assumptions, opens minds, and unlocks our potential to solve any problems we may face.” – Unknown

So challenge yourself and your YAC.  Become a diverse group that is united for a single cause:  to help youth in need.  You won’t regret gaining new insights.  We promise.