Voices of Youth - Hillsborough Youth Collaborative (HYC)

THE YOUTH ACTION COLLABORATIVE

The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County is proud to sponsor the Hillsborough Youth Collaborative (HYC), a youth leadership program of Community Tampa Bay http://www.communitytampabay.org/). The Children’s Board sponsors and hosts a monthly meeting of HYC youth and their Community Tampa Bay advisors on the third Monday evening of each month.

This group of young people and adults actively considers how to increase the voice of children and youth in participating in discussions and decisions made in Hillsborough County that affect the quality of their lives. Their activities result in strong youth-adult partnerships, youth leadership development programs and youth collaborations with schools, town councils, health care organizations and others whose activities influence the prospects for children and youth in Hillsborough County.

Peter A. Gorski, M.D., M.P.A. heads the Citizen Engagement Team at the Children’s Board and is the liaison with HYC. He would be happy to hear from you and discuss your interest in promoting our community partnerships. Dr. Gorski can be reached at (813) 204-1701 or pgorski@childrensboard.org.

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YOUTH ADVOCACY, NEWS, EVENTS & RESOURCES

The Children’s Board funds programs and services in Hillsborough County to help youth and adolescents achieve their dreams. Following are news, events, and resources that youth can tap into.

Open Call for Hillsborough Youth Collaborative Members

TheHillsborough Youth Collaborative (HYC) is taking applications for youth from Hillsborough County, ages 14 to 20, who are eager to strengthen the school or community group to which they belong and want to become empowered as leaders to change their communities. HYC youth meet each Monday at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, which is the sponsor, to learn and practice leadership skills, as well asplan service projects around the community. Go to http://www.communitytampabay.org/programs/program_collateral/HYCApplication%2011%2030%2009%20update.pdf tocomplete an applicationor email nholler@communitytampabay.org. HYC is a program of Community Tampa Bay, which is on the web at

Hillsborough Youth Collaborative Members Attend Children's Week During 2010 Legislative Session

Ninemembers of the Hillsborough Youth Collaborative along with hundreds of youth fromaroundFloridagathered in Tallahassee to discuss issues and policies affectingyouth.

"I learned that we can get the youth point of view on the issues and take these views to the legislators. We can find solutions to all of these problems in a way that satisfies youth as well as adults." - Anais Diaz, Hillsborough Youth Collaborative member on Children's Week.

To see pictures from Children's Week visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Petersburg-FL/Community-Tampa-Bay/34849768138.

Program Participant Receives Bank of America Internship

Community Tampa Bay would like to congratulate Anytown graduate and Hillsborough Youth Collaborative member, Ashira Pelt for receiving a Bank of America Student Leaders Program internship. Highly competitive, only 230 students from the United States and London were chosen for the internship, and only 5 from Hillsborough County. The program selected students whoare actively trying to improve their community through service, qualities that Ashira says were instilled by her parents and expanded through her involvement with Anytown and the Hillsborough Youth Collaborative.

"I think what impressed them the most was my dedication to Community Tampa Bay's mission, which is now almost like my own personal motto, and I couldn't help expressing that in my application." - Ahira Pelt

Click here to see profiles of four outstanding Graduates of HYC 2010.

Click here to read the testimonial of HYC member Stephanie Coates.

COMMUNITY TAMPA BAY HONORED AT WMNF PEACE AWARD BENEFIT DINNER

Community Tampa Bay was honored recently with a Peace Award by WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio for the work it is doing to cultivate leaders through its youth programs.The first annual Peace Awards dinner honored individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly for human rights, social and economic justice, the environment, and non-violence. Among those awarded wereauthor and activist Connie Mae Fowlerand the Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers. Community Tampa Bay was selected for a special merit award. Community Tampa Bay is funded in part by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

Pictured, at the awards: Brigid Ochshorn,Jim Bennett, Adrian Paneto, Janet Blair, and Jessica Estevez

YOUTH EVENTS

HILLSBOROUGH YOUTH AGENCY COUNCIL MEETING, OCT. 14, 2009

Discussion Topic: HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for Teens
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Time: 12 noon to 2pm (lunch will be provided)
Location: Metropolitan Ministries – Teen Room 2nd Floor (enter through the Outreach Department)
Address: 2301 North Tampa Street, Tampa, FL
Contact: Robyn Mellin – (813) 209-1247
Directions: Metropolitan Ministries is located off of Tampa Street

Lunch: Will be provided free of charge courtesy of Metropolitan Ministries.

Agenda: Tonicia Freeman of Metro Charities will present information on REAL LIFE Teen HIV prevention and empowerment program. Come and learn how to engage your teen and integrate this awesome program into your after school activities.

IMPORTANT YOUTH LINKS AND RESOURCES

Bullying Prevention/Reporting – Hillsborough County Public Schools
Connected By 25 – Improving outcomes for Hillsborough County foster youth
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay Hotline
Community Tampa Bay – Promotes dialogue and respect
Financial Aid, Internships, Jobs and College Scholarships – FastWeb national links
Florida Institute of Community Studies Youth Programs
Healthy Families/Bright Beginnings Teen Prevention Program
Hillsborough County Public Schools Home Web Page
Hillsborough Healthy Teen Network
Hillsborough Youth Collaborative (HYC)
Ophelia Project/Boys Initiative
Scholarships, State Grants and Student Loan information – Florida Department of Education
Tampa Mayor’s Youth Corps
2-1-1 Tampa Bay Information and Referral Resources
What Kids Can Do – National website for teens
Youth Action Collaborative – Children's Board of Hillsborough County
Youth Leadership Council, Federation of Families of Hillsborough County