Youth Together :: Peace, Unity & Justice
Youth Together :: Peace, Unity & Justice
In 1996 Youth Together was formed by youth, community members, parents and school officials in Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond, California concerned about inter-racial violence and inadequate school conditions.
Because of the organization’s youth leadership programming, student centers, and campaigns, six local high schools are developing positive, long-term solutions to fight social, political, community, and educational inequities in their lives, serving as a model for empowering change in other communities.
Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.” -Paulo Freire
MISSION
Grounded in our commitment to peace, unity and justice, the mission of Youth Together is to address the root causes of educational inequities by developing multiracial youth leaders and engaging school community allies to promote positive school change.
VISION
VALUES
1. YT values young people because we believe youth are inherently valuable and powerful and must be key players in creating a world free of internalized, interpersonal, and institutional oppression.
2. YT values supporting academic development, raising political consciousness, and knowing our histories because we believe the lifelong pursuit of knowledge, education, and reflective practice is necessary for our liberation.
3. YT values leadership development because we believe by nurturing the confidence and skills of young people they will create a just environment in their schools and communities.
4. YT values multi-generational partnerships because we believe youth and adults sharing power and knowledge is necessary for authentic social change.
5. YT values multiracial unity because we believe that racial division is a key tool of oppression, and that we gain strength and power in learning and sharing our histories, cultures, and experiences.
6. YT values anti-oppression work because we believe that all forms of injustice prevent effective movement-building.
7. YT values movement building, because we believe power is created by people organizing to make change inside and outside of institutions.
8. YT values accountability because we believe both self-discipline and high expectations nurture a fair and equitable environment.
9. YT values access to equitable and quality education because we believe education is basic human right that determines individual and community well-being.
10. YT values self-determination because we believe in the capacity of individuals and communities to envision and realize their strength, power, and well-being
11. YT values building a healthy organizing culture that acts out of love, respect, and equality for all people because we believe strong individuals and strong relationships build strong movements.
12. YT values collaborative decision-making and transparency because we believe open communication and healthy conflict struggle the greatest solutions.
13. YT values peace and non-violent solutions because we recognize the damaging effects of violence in our homes, communities, and world and see the role we play in ending this cycle.
Youth Together believes that Quality Education is a Basic Human Right that determines individual and community well-being. We will participate in teach-ins and mobilizations in the SF East Bat that seek the preservation of this right.
The Department of Education recognizes that community engagement and involvement is a critical component in driving turnarounds for a successful effort. Please join us for a visit from U.S. Department of Education. We’ll listen to Director of Community Outreach Alberto Retana to learn about Title I SIG (School Improvement Grant) funds, the four intervention models for turning schools around, and discuss ways to drive reform locally.
Youth Together is proud to announce Shawn Ginwright as a panelist following the film screening of Greensboro: Closer to the Truth. The author, professor, activist, and founder of Oakland based non-profit, Leadership Excellence, will be on hand to discuss his methods of healing and restorative justice with urban youth. Come join us to view a moving documentary as well as hear and dialogue with amazing community activists restoring hope and justice in our communities.
From shutting down rat-infested prisons to improving voting registration and making college more accessible, young people put their energies into extraordinary actions that changed their communities, and the world.
Download Youth Together’s new mixtape! Themed after our slogan, “Peace, Unity & Justice,” we picked songs that have inspired us as organizers and activists.
Youth Together would like to invite you to join us for a very special event, taking place on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 6:00pm at The First Congregational Church of Oakland (2501 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA). Oakland is one of only 6 communities across the country that are participating in an innovative national dialogue project using the film Greensboro: Closer to the Truth to support reconciliation and justice efforts, and Youth Together has been selected to host the film locally.
Please show your support for East Bay youth leaders by making a donation to Youth Together today. Your gift will support our work at Richmond High and at all our school sites.
