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Applications are due in three weeks!
Are you a college student? Applications for the YP4 fellowship are due no later than midnight on October 26. Start your application today.
[ Learn more and apply ]
Time’s running out: Nominate a college student!
Only a few weeks left to nominate college students for the fellowship. Do it now! It’s easier than ever.
Your nominee will be in good company. One recent nominator wrote:
“[My nominee] is one of the most respected progressive leaders on campus. Her warm spirit and friendly nature draws people not only to her, but to the organizations and work she is involved with. Over the past two years, she has worked tirelessly to build support for restoration and relief for Hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast. I would strongly recommend her for a YP4 fellowship, because…I witnessed how much organization and follow-through meant to her, and I know that she will seize any opportunity a YP4 fellowship would offer her with the same dedication and enthusiasm.”
[ Nominate a college activist today ]
Leadership Academy fellows begin planning next retreat
A committed group of Leadership Academy fellows is about to begin working with us to plan their next retreat, to be held in January. The Retreat Planning Committee contributes to the agenda, helps coordinate fellow-led workshops, and arranges evening bonding activities. Thanks to their hard work, fellows’ voices will play a leading role in shaping the next retreat.
January Retreat Planning Committee:
Elizabeth Camuti, 2006 Fellow
April Joy Damian, 2008 Fellow
Ada Aroneanu, 2007 Fellow
Jameelah Muhammad, 2008 Fellow
One-on-one coaching sets fellows up for success
Between program retreats, Leadership Academy fellows are growing their leadership capacities and planning for the future. During customized one-on-one sessions with career and life coach Cathy Wasserman, fellows are creating burnout prevention plans, professional calling cards, ideal job descriptions and refined resumes and cover letters.
Survey improves the internship program
The summer internship program participants successfully completed their internships, building experience as they transition from campus activism into professional roles. 100 percent completed their program surveys, ensuring that we will build a better and stronger program for 2009. Several fellows are receiving stipends for fall internships in the offices of elected officials and political consulting groups.
The internship program includes a retreat, funding for internships and access to professional development resources such as professional coaching and mentorship.
 “Lives were turned upside down in a matter of hours” when Hurricane Ike hit the greater Houston area, says senior fellow Baber Mohammed, who currently works in a public relations firm. “In the aftermath, my city came together as only a true American city would.”
Through his internship with the office of Mayor Bill White, Baber helped provide necessities to those severely affected by the storm: “My team of dedicated volunteers and I worked 16-hour days in an effort to reach as many people as possible. We delivered ice, water and food to the elderly who were living without power for days.”
As a 2007 fellow, Baber was eager to connect his peers and give back to the YP4 network. Today he continues to foster networks, transforming his job into a community-based experience. Baber writes, “In addition to the support that YP4’s internship program is providing, I am able to sustain myself here while bringing a smile to the faces of those who least expected it. That has been the most rewarding part of my experience, and I have YP4 to thank for helping make that happen!”
[ Learn more about the internship program ]
 Facing Race (Oakland, Calif., November 13–15)
Young People For, along with Generation Vote, is proud to sponsor the Facing Race conference. Advancing racial justice is not only an idea we share; it is a mission to define justice and make change. Facing Race is our chance to cut across the color line, claim this moving moment, and gather people of different races from across the country to discuss a myriad of issues and to outline a vision for the future of racial justice.
You can find more events on YP4’s site and at the Center for Progressive Leadership.
Good films for cheap
Betsy Ott, a 2008 fellow and Greenpeace Student Organizer, passed this along:
One of my friends found this site (http://bravenewtheaters.com/films) and it's such a great resource I thought it would be worth sending it on to you. It has tons of progressive films on just about everything and full film rights can be purchased for $13 or something like that. Normally film rights are at least $50–$75. Our group at NMU is sponsoring films biweekly from each group in our coalition.
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Aaron Moreno, a 2008 Young People For fellow, got a job right out of high school. Now 26, Aaron works to combine his two passions: education and children. At Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz., Aaron draws on the life experiences of his fellow students, many of whom are parents, to empower students attending Arizona’s dismally underserved public schools, whose spending ranks 49th in the country.
In this interview, Aaron explains how his Blueprint for Social Justice, Chess Mates, aims to challenge students and keep them off the streets through games of chess in their local libraries. He plans to transfer to the University of Arizona next year and finish his degree in political science before running for school board.
[ Read the interview ] |
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Like to read? Support YP4!
Young People For has partnered with the Progressive Book Club, which aims to make progressive ideas part of the national debate. Our current pick focuses on how we can reshape hot-button debates to put the right on the defensive.
Join Progressive Book Club today with a great introductory offer — 3 books for $3 with membership. Select YP4 as your beneficiary organization when you join, and we’ll receive $2 every time you purchase a club-priced book.
[ Join the Progressive Book Club ]
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Spread the word about your organization, campaign or business.
[ Advertise on the YP4 Blog ]
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E-mail address changing?
Update your contact info so we can keep you in the loop.
[ Update now ]
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[ Join the conversation ] |
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Job opportunities
People For the American Way Foundation is hiring a director of legal affairs, a director of major gifts and a foundation assistant. Internships are also available.
The Center for Progressive Leadership is hiring outreach managers in Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, plus a program manager in Colorado and a director of training in Washington, D.C.
College Summit is hiring for a plethora of mid-level positions.
Democracia USA is hiring a senior executive assistant.
Democracy Matters is hiring paid interns. It is possible to hold a YP4 fellowship at the same time as a Democracy Matters internship.
The Movement Strategy Center is hiring two senior associates: one for transformational movement building and one for sector and alliance building.
Work for Progress is recruiting several canvass directors, organizers and field coordinators. |
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Policy corner: Democracy still needs your help
“In the past I’ve asked you to work for democracy. With only a month left before November 4, that call to action is more important than ever. You can still help!”
[ Read more on the blog ] |
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Right wing watch on campus
September was a busy time on campuses across the country, as conservatives worked to turn campuses more conservative in this pivotal election year.
Requiring proof of American citizenship to pay in-state tuition, mandating ROTC inclusion and “working against” histories that include gender and/or race as a lens of analysis… Several YP4 bloggers documented the damage.
[ Read the round-up on the YP4 Blog ]
[ Share your stories ] |
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Watch videos, upload your YP4 pictures and more! YP4’s on Facebook, YouTube, Future 5000... you name it.
[ Connect with YP4 ]
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