Check out our 2008 Youth Policy Agenda!
Work and Activities

YOUTH POWER! is a network of young people with disabilities, social and emotional challenges, and experience in the state child-serving systems.  Together we have decided to speak up about our experiences.  We believe that our voice is important because no one knows what it is like for us better than we do.  We work diligently build and strengthen an authentic youth movement that works towards improving communities to ensure positive development opportunities for all youth and young people.   

NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US!

We work toward strengthening youth involvement by offering:

Technical Assistance and Support: We offer our expertise, youth development strategies and support to help existing or beginner groups with group development, structure, and any other technical assistance needs they may have through our experiences and the experiences of others in the YOUTH POWER! Network.

Groups that can benefit are but are not limited to:

• To established youth group
• To youth wanting to establish groups
• To organizations and providers looking to begin a youth group/youth advisory council, etc.
• Independent living and disability related groups

       
Areas of technical assistance include:

• Youth involvement techniques and practices
• Starting a youth group or Youth Advisory Council
• Youth event planning including conferences, speak-outs, youth forums, etc.
• Leadership opportunities for youth with disabilities
• Youth development
• Youth cultural competence

Trainings: YOUTH POWER! offers a variety of trainings that are custom designed to fit many needs. Trainings for youth and youth groups are offered in the following areas:

• Empowerment- Self responsibility, having a positive self-imagine & confronting internalized negative self beliefs, creating a goals plan, working on self-control, etc.
• Self-Help- Speaking up for yourself, advocacy skills, how to learn your rights, proper meeting attendance skills, reaching out for help, having a plan of action to get your needs met, etc.
• Peer Support- basics of one on one support & facilitating support groups
• Peer Advocacy- Speaking up for others
• Systems Advocacy How to affect and create Systems change, Introduction to advanced

Workshops and Presentations: Custom workshops and presentations at various conferences and events throughout the state.

Youth Leadership Activities and Opportunities: It is YOUTH POWER!’s mission to provide leadership opportunities to the young people in our network. We do this through various different activities and/or events, where we invite the youth to participate. These activities include, but are not limited to:

• YP! events and conferences including speak-outs and youth forums
• Workshops/presentations
• Panels
• Committees, Councils, Taskforces, Workgroups & Boards

Networking and Promotion: The YP! Network reaches many regions through out the state. We are often meeting and including many groups and incorporating them into the Network. By doing this, they are able to communicate and connect with the other groups and can help and support each other. At the same time, YP! administration promotes these groups through our work and often invite them to do statewide activities, as well as recommend them for other activities or events locally and regionally.

If you would like more information please contact us by calling or emailing.
Phone: 518-598-2467 Toll Free: 1-888-326-8644

Stephanie Orlando, Director sorlando@ftnys.org x21
Dally Sanchez, Coordinator dsanchez@ftnys.org x34