January 29, 2008

New campaign calls on the community to get involved with youth

BOSTON – A n ew community engagement campaign being unveiled todaywill encourage everyone – from parents to neighbors, after-school providers to policy-makers – to critically examine how in their own lives they can be there for youth and take action to inspire them for a lifetime of success. With the help of more than 600 community and corporate leaders, city and state officials and staff from nonprofit organizations serving youth, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley will today kick off inspire 4 life , a new multi-year campaign that aims to excite and engage young people and give them opportunities to express themselves productively, grow leadership skills and develop positive relationships with caring, supportive adults.

The launch will take place at 4:15 PM today at the World Trade Center during a day-long Summit on Youth, where a broad cross- section of community leaders is coming together to address critical issues facing today’s young people and to align around the cause of ensuring the region’s youth graduate with meaningful options for the future.Diane Patrick, the Commonwealth’s First Lady and partner at Ropes & Gray and Dr.JudyAnn Bigby, Secretary of the Executive Office Health and Human Services will join the effort to help adults understand the importance of relationships with youth, motivate them to get engaged and pledge to help. Also on hand to sign on to the effort will be DSS CommissionerAngelo McLain, DYS Commissioner Jane E. Tewksbury and Larry Mayes, Chief of Human Services for the City of Boston.

"The investment we make in our young citizens today will reap innumerable benefits for them, and for the Commonwealth, tomorrow," said Diane Patrick, the Commonwealth’s First Lady and a partner at Ropes & Gray, who is also a Board member of UWMBMV.

"By signing on, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and all of our agencies are committed to partnering with a diverse range of stakeholders—community groups, advocates, faith-based organizations, schools, and families—to make meaningful and lasting contributions in the lives of young people,” said Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, Secretary of Health and Human Services.  “By working together, we can help ensure that youth have the resources, support, and mentors they need to succeed in life.  Greater community engagement will help us to identify how to build on the assets in communities, and to address the unmet needs of the kids we serve."

Research shows that youth who have positive adult relationships are m ore motivated to learn and do better in school, have a better sense of themselves and their future, accept and take responsibility for themselves and others, are m ore resilient and less likely to engage in risky behavior, and have better relationships with their parents. Youth are more likely to stay in school and graduate when they have a solid relationship with a caring adult, attend school regularly and don’t repeat grades, are protected from harm and participate in high quality enrichment opportunities.

"By getting involved, each one of us has the power to help kids stay focused so they can fulfill their goals and achieve their dreams," said Michael K. Durkin, president and chief executive officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.  "If we can increase the network of adults who are committed to being there for youth, we will create a movement that has the potential to keep young people safe and in school and inspired for a lifetime of success.”

For example, by visiting the inspire 4 life website (www.inspire4life.org), individuals can sign on to: support and guide youth by coaching, mentoring, tutoring, or leading a group of youth; e ncourage youth career exploration by providing a young person with an after-school or summer job or supporting an internship or community service opportunity; b ecome active in a school group or committee (parent-teacher group, booster group, etc) or volunteer with a youth-focused neighborhood group or faith-based organization; or a dvocate for youth-focused policies by writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper or attending a town meeting or city council meeting and speaking out for youth-focused policies.