Recent Accomplishments

2002-2003 Summary of Activities and Accomplishments

Since that small and diverse group of teens created YEP in 1997 to increase youth representation in the service and decision-making life of their community, many more teens have initiated and participated in even more groundbreaking efforts to make their voices heard. Today, 230 middle and high school age youth participate regularly in ten projects originated and led by young people with adult support. This past year, 2,000 youth were involved in one or more YEP activities. During each of the past two years, we have experienced a 400% increase of youth participation in YEP activities.

• Through our Youth On Board (YOB) program, 30 teens participated as voting members on the boards of directors of 16 local nonprofit civic and service organizations, including the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the Hands-On Museum, Leslie Science Center, Bryant Community Center, Hunger Coalition, Student Advocacy Center, and HelpSource. To help them be responsible board members, 85 teens participated in YEP’s Basic or Advanced Leadership Training workshops offered throughout the year on such topics as “What is a Non Profit Corporation?’, reading non profit financial statements, conquering Robert's Rules of Order, creative problem-solving, time management, communication and teamwork. Through YOB, teens learn skills they’ll use throughout their lives, and non-profits and our community benefit from the fresh and unique perspectives that only young people can bring to the table.
  
  
• 75 teens participated in weekly Youth Senate Forums at their local high schools. Through this year’s Senate activities, teens continued to serve in advisory capacity to the School Board; 350 high school students registered to vote during the Senate’s Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 in-school voter registration clinics; a Spring “Get Out the Vote” campaign was conducted; reaching 38% of the public high school population, 2,000 students participated in focus groups or filled out surveys regarding their priorities for school improvement and a third high school; and Senate members presented a formal report to the School Board and administration based on the survey and focus group results. Senate’s March, 2003 Senate Report to the School Board on Student Priorities for School Improvement (17 pages w/color graphs) now available in PDF format on Senate page! Senate teens initiated recycling programs at two high schools; sponsored Teen Night at Top of the Park with the Neutral Zone; and presented a rationale to the City Council and School Board that led to the addition of a traffic light at Huron High School.
  
  
• Three YEP teens, with two University of Michigan students, involved 20 middle school students in weekly community service and community action projects, as part of SHARP (Students Helping and Reaching People) Corps.
  
  
• Through Teens Recognizing and Understanding Each Other (TRUE), 12 YEP teens worked with HelpSource and Spectrum to prevent substance abuse by conducting simulation games for peers and younger teens through neighborhood centers.
  
  
• As part of the YEP/West Africa Exchange, 15 YEP teens began a communication exchange with youth in Burkina Faso, West Africa. YEP teens created photo journals describing life for a diverse group of teens in Ann Arbor, and have received photos from Burkina Faso youth. YEP teens want to share with Burkina Faso youth what they have learned about peer education and youth leadership, concepts the West African youth want to explore in the AIDS prevention work that goes on in their cities and villages.
  
  
• The second edition of the YEP Ann Arbor Teen Yellow Pages, a guide to youth resources, was produced and distributed to 6000 teens.
  
  
• YEP’s Annual Spring Picnic had beautiful weather and the Big Whigs vs. Senate softball game was great fun (Big Whigs won the second year in a row)! 2003 Paper Plate Awards went to especially accomplished students, and NPOs, government officials and corporate leaders who have made significant contributions to furthering YEP’s mission to support youth in service, decision-making and civic action roles in the community. Click here to see who is on the 2003 Paper Plate Awards list.