Teen Empowerment: Rising to Our Challenge
Source: Teen Empowerment
Link to Full Text: http://www.teenempowerment.org/
November 2008
Friends,
Even as I anticipate with hope the historic inauguration of President-elect Obama, I am worried about our economy and the future of our nation and our communities. The current economic downturn will disproportionately affect the low-income, urban youth Teen Empowerment serves. As a result, TE has been working hard to minimize the impact of the current financial crisis on our important work.
In order to preserve our essential programs, TE's dedicated staff have agreed to a 5% pay cut and I will take a 10% cut. Unfortunately, we also need to make additional cuts, but by cutting back strategically, we have been able to keep open 2 of our 3 Boston sites as well as our citywide sites in Somerville, MA, and Rochester, NY.
We are aggressively pursuing every available possibility for state, local, and private funding that would let us return to our full strength in Boston, and even continue to grow. We are also seeking to expand our fee-generating training services and to find new buyers for our book and DVDs.
Our work could not be more timely or urgent. Our experience, backed by many studies, shows a direct correlation between a depressed economy and increased youth violence. The daily news so often brings stories of children living in the midst of terrible violence; none of us wants this situation to continue - or to worsen. Now, more than ever, these youth need your help. Every day, TE youth organizers help their peers see the futility of taking out their frustrations on each other. Instead, youth learn through TE how to use their voices and talents to create safer and more stable communities for everyone.
Here are some ways you can make a difference at this critical time for TE and the youth we serve:
1. Make a donation to Teen Empowerment in any amount using our secure
server: http://teenempowerment.org/donate.html
2. Sponsor a youth leadership job ($114 per week for one youth):
http://teenempowerment.org/donate.html
3. Help with our annual Celebration of Hope and Caring.
4. Learn more about TE and spread the word.
5. Help TE while you shop.
See below for more information about these options. And thank you for supporting our work.
Warm Regards,
Stanley Pollack
Executive Director
Sponsor a Youth Leadership Job at Teen Empowerment
Recent slashes in public and private funding have forced TE to make heartbreaking cuts in our services. In addition to across-the-board pay cuts, we are laying off 4 members of our excellent staff, reducing hours for 2 others, and closing our South End/Lower Roxbury site (though our administrative offices will remain in place for now). Finally, we are hiring fewer young people this fall to work as youth organizers.
You can help TE youth today by sponsoring a youth leadership job. For $114, TE can employ an at-risk youth for one week to help his or her community survive this difficult time. Can you contribute to fund a youth job for one week or more?
A contribution in any amount will help us maintain TE's important work.
volunteer Help with the Celebration of Hope and Caring
CELEBRATION
Save the date for TE's Celebration of Hope and Caring - Wednesday, February 25, at the beautiful Moakley Courthouse in Boston. Join TE's board of directors in planning this fun and important event. Serve on the host committee, donate goods or services, help stuff envelopes.... There are many opportunities to get involved. Contact us to see how you can help!
SPREAD THE WORD
Learn More about TE and Spread the Word
Forward this email, and tell 5 friends about the great work TE is doing and the excellent products we've produced.
Take a look at our book, Moving Beyond Icebreakers. Tell anyone you know who works with groups in business, social services, or classrooms, that this book is for them! It makes a great gift for teachers, managers, and anyone who facilitates groups of any kind. Order the book directly from TE.
Visit our website at http://www.teenempowerment.org/ - photos, what's new and what's happening, TE's history, our program model, our staff, and more.
Check out Teen Empowerment TV on YouTube. See what young people have to say about life in their communities, and see what people are saying about TE.
Preview TE's DVDs. TE has produced four DVDs that spark discussion in classrooms, youth groups, and other settings about issues affecting urban youth. Order our DVDs for your own use or to donate to schools and youth programs.
SHOP
Support TE as You Shop
GoodShop: When shopping online, start at GoodShop.com and put Teen Empowerment in the "Who do you GoodShop for" box. More than 700 top online retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Gap, iTunes, and Target, will donate a percentage of your purchases to Teen Empowerment. You pay the same price as you normally would, and the retailer makes a donation to TE!
Please join us at The Shops at Prudential Center on Thursday, December 4, from 5:30-9:00 pm. Purchase a ticket from Teen Empowerment for $5 and use it during those hours for significant discounts from Prudential Center stores and restaurants (and discounted parking, too). Enjoy strolling Victorian carollers as you get your holiday shopping done early, save money on your purchases, and help support Teen Empowerment at the same time. This event is open only to ticket holders, so contact us for your ticket. Get a block of tickets and bring your friends!
