In This Issue:

YPII News

   ^.  2008 YP Jam Brochure Available

   ^.  Welcome Youth Philanthropy Ambassadors 

Young Hoosier Philanthropist

   ^.  Evanne Offenbacker

Tools & Resources

   ^.  Engaging At-Risk Youth

   ^.  My 2 Cents for Change

Ways to Give & Serve

   ^.  Advertise Your Cause Media Challenge 

   ^.  Volunteerism Awards Given to 25 Southern Indiana Youth

2008 YP Jam Brochure Available
Details about this year's YP Jam are now available!

To learn about the exciting, action-packed event, check out the brochure at: http://www.ypin.org/pdfs/YP_Jam_2008_brochure.pdf (PDF, 1.68MB).  You'll learn who should attend, what sessions will be offered and when everything happens.    

At the YP Jam, young people will participate in fun, active workshops that integrate the three pillars of youth philanthropy: giving and serving, leadership development and civic engagement.  In this Presidential election year, the conference will highlight the "take action" part of philanthropy -- civic engagement.  In addition to the workshops and social gatherings, participants will be actively involved in giving and serving through service projects that will benefit youth and their families in local communities and overseas. 

You can register by completing and returning the brochure's registration form or by visiting http://www.register123.com/event/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x56625831a4.

Don't miss your chance to build the skills and networks that will allow you to become a citizen in action!

Welcome Youth Philanthropy Ambassadors
Indiana welcomes 13 new Youth Philanthropy Ambassadors from ten different counties across the state.  Participants came from Harrison County, Steuben County, and many points in between.  The Community Montessori School in New Albany sent two teachers to participate in support of their transformation into a "Giving and Serving" School. 

The role of Ambassadors is to promote youth philanthropy in local communities across Indiana, as well as advance the work and share the resources of the Initiative.  The number of Ambassadors now serving as the arms of youth philanthropy to motivate and inspire youth and adults to get involved in "giving and serving" has been lifted to 82!  Information about the Ambassadors program is available at http://www.ypin.org/ambassadors_overview.htm.

Young Hoosier Philanthropist: Evanne Offenbacker
During a charity walk in downtown Indianapolis, Evanne Offenbacker took a special interest in the city's homeless population.  To help meet their needs, Evanne formed Straight 2 the Streets, a group that raises money and gathers donations on behalf of the homeless.  Through Straight 2 the Streets, Evanne provides clothes, food, shoes, water and even bus tickets to Indy's homeless.

Engaging At-Risk Youth
Youth Service America announces a new effective practices publication entitled Effective Practices for Engaging At-Risk Youth in Service. The guide is designed to provide an overview of the underlying theory and effective practices for engaging at-risk youth in service by examining the roles young people played - and can play - in serving their communities. The audiences for this publication are public officials, youth service and service-learning practitioners and teachers, researchers and others whose mission is to plan and implement community service programs for youth with diverse experiences and backgrounds.  To view and print this document, visit: http://tools.ysa.org/downloads/modules/Engaging_At-Risk_Youth_in_Service.pdf.

My 2 Cents for Change
Through My 2 Cents for Change, an animated website created to give youth ages 13-17 a voice in the presidential election, teens can add their thoughts on the issues they feel most passionate about, from education and healthcare to war and genocide. The site features links for teens to find out more information on the issues and candidates before directing them to "give their 2 cents," which the site then bundles and sends to the presidential candidates of the teen's choice.  Also available for download is a Give Your 2 Cents in the Classroom! Teacher/Facilitator Guide to use the website as a catalyst for group discussion. View the website and download the guide at http://www.servicevote.org/my2cents .

Advertise Your Cause Media Challenge
The By Kids For Kids youth empowerment company and DoSomething.org announce the Advertise Your Cause Media Challenge, which encourages young people to discover what cause matters most to them and then "Do Something" to propel their cause into the public eye. The competition will reward the cleverest and most powerful new Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign idea that has the broadest impact potential. Maximum Award: $10,000 and national media exposure for the winning PSA. Eligibility: U.S. residents ages 5 to 19, not graduated from high school at the time of competition. Deadline: June 30, 2008.  http://www.bkfk.com/Modules/Competition/Competition.aspx?section=sayit

Volunteerism Awards Given to 25 Southern Indiana Youth
Outstanding teen volunteers from across Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties were recently recognized for their community service at the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana's annual Gold Acorn awards at The Grand in New Albany.

The gala luncheon was organized by teens and adults serving on the Community Foundation's Youth Philanthropy Councils in each county of its service area: Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties.