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.”

HISTORY

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.

Community members were inspired to form Youth Together in 1994 in response to inter-racial conflicts in schools. Since that time, young people in Youth Together have fought for, won, and continued to struggle for a new vision of their schools and communities.

For more historic details click on our Timeline.

MISSION

Youth Together utilizes four main programs to meet our mission:

1. Youth Together Student Teams: Youth Together operates student organizing clubs on six school campuses to develop student leadership skills, multiracial solidarity, and to improve school conditions.
2. School-Based One Land, One People Youth Centers/Collaboratives: Youth Together operates multi-service collaboratives and youth centers on high school campuses.
3. Community-Based Youth Centers/Collaboratives: Youth Together advocates and organizes for community based multi-service collaboratives and centers and partners with local officials to design, plan, and develop these centers.
4. Regional Programming: Youth Together provides regional programming to core youth leaders and is the a part of citywide, statewide and nationwide coalitions and alliances that further connect youth to social issues outside their school communities.

VISION

• Education is a basic human right, not a privilege.

• The vision of Youth Together is to reclaim public education. We seek to create public educational systems that are just, community based, supportive and people centric. We aim to empower, mobilize, and build self-determination among students and their communities.

• Youth Together envisions students who think critically, are social change agents, and who challenge internalized, interpersonal, and institutional oppression in their schools and communities. Specifically, we envision public schools as spaces where youth, their families, and community members are key decision makers in their educational experience.

• We envision an educational system that is both the center of the community and a tool for creating community.When local educational institutions are designed to meet the needs of students, a strong community is created.

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.

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