This special edition of the E-Chronicle is sent to inform you of a national initiative called Quarters From Kids.  You will be hearing more about this effort in the upcoming days. 

You may be receiving this as a guest recipient -- as a member of one of YPII's partner organizations.  This is in hopes that you will consider your organization's role in this promotion of philanthropy collaboration.

In any case, we hope that you will review the Web site and determine for yourself, your family and your organization how best to respond to the disaster in S. Asia.

FACT SHEET

Small acts can have big impact. Involving every young person in America (and adults who work with them) in Quarters From Kids can help relieve suffering, prevent further loss of life, and improve the long-term recovery of children and adult survivors of the tsunami in South and Southeast Asia.  Participation in this relief effort gives America's youth the opportunity to tap into their power to help others around the world - this month, this year, and for the rest of their lives.

Quarters From Kids enables every youth to respond to calls from President Bush and former Presidents Clinton and Bush for all Americans to be part of the nation's humanitarian response to the tsunami devastation.

WHAT Quarters From Kids is a nationwide, grass-roots effort to engage young Americans, and adults who work with them, in a collective response to the tsunami disaster in Asia. Connecting the idealism and activism of youth with immediate and long-term needs of people and communities devastated by the tsunamis will contribute funds to the relief and redevelopment efforts. We know that as America's youth learn how they can help, we and they can take responsibility to help others through service and support.

WHO More than 100 organizations dedicated to youth- including educators, service organizations, social entrepreneurs, youth and childcare organizations, colleges, and schools working with millions of children across America - and over a dozen relief organizations joined together in recognition that when young people learn they can help improve their world they do so with idealism, passion, and vigor.
HOW The Web site www.quartersfromkids.org helps young people, college students, and adults who work with young people to use their power, generosity, and leadership to help those affected. No funding goes to Quarters From Kids. Instead, the Web site enables youth and adults who work with them to:
Raise money - nickel-by-nickel, quarter by quarter, and dollar-by-dollar - by donating online or by mail - with 100% of funds going directly to established, respected relief and redevelopment organizations. Initiative leaders are exploring the possibility of working with banks, the post office and others to collect quarters and convert them to money orders for contributions.
Access resources about the impact of the tsunamis on people and communities in South and Southeast Asia and about social, global activism.
Share stories about the power and impact of children's actions and generosity.

GET INVOLVED TODAY There is a specific role for all in this effort -- kids, youth, college students, parents, educators, other adults working with young people, companies, non-profits, and more. Visit www.quartersfromkids.org to find out how to get involved TODAY.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE INITIATIVE?
The initiative, administered by City Year, will hold an official Quarters From Kids launch event at a school in New York City at 12:00 pm.This will serve as the formal launch of the campaign as well as a vehicle to announce the tremendous momentum already underway at the grassroots level. If we all collectively commit to putting our efforts into mobilization, then by Wednesday we will already have thousands of schools and children behind this initiative.

After the formal launch, we encourage each of you to consider organizing a local launch event in your community. BELL, Citizen Schools, City Year, Jumpstart, New Profit, YouthBuild, and other Boston-based groups will be working with Senator Kennedy, who has indicated a strong interest in this campaign, to organize a launch event. We hope that many of you will organize events in your area to continue to build grassroots momentum for Quarters From Kids.

...growing lifelong philanthropists who give of their time, talent, and treasure for the common good.

Supporters of the Vision
Center for Youth as Resources, Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, Clowes Fund, Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, Community Partnerships with Youth, Emmis Communications, Indiana Association of School Principals, Indiana Association of United Ways, Indiana Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism, Indiana Dollars for Scholars, Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, Indiana Humanities Council, Indiana Youth Institute, Indiana Pacers Foundation, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Foundation, Indiana Youth Commission for Service and Leadership, Indiana Youth Services Association, Indianapolis Colts, The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Legacy Fund of Hamilton County a CICF affiliate, Marion County Commission on Youth, The Mary E. Ober Foundation, Moore Foundation, Youth As Resources-United Way of Central Indiana, Youth Connections and 4-H/Youth Development.

Please forward the E-Chronicle on to others or send e-mail addresses to us and we will see that they are added to our list. If you received this as a forward and want to be added to the list, please send a message to ypii@aol.com. If you no longer wish to receive emails from YPII, just send a message to ypii@aol.com.

For more information, contact:
Jerry Finn (812) 923-2065
The Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana (YPII)
32 East Washington Street, Suite 1100
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
317.715.6709, YPII@aol.com, www.YPIN.org