August 2019

Monthly News and Updates

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LGBTQ YOUTH OPEN HOUSE Join us on September 20th from 4-6 PM at 2096 Gaither Rd ) Suite 110 Rockville, MD 20850 (Lead4Life Office). Share your experiences of being an LGBTQ youth in Montgomery County with Councilmember Evan Glass plus connect to resources and find community. First 60 youth to complete the on-site survey will receive a $25 gift card.  Click here  t o RSVP today.

Catalyst of Change Youth Fellowship Initiative We are excited to announce the Catalyst of Change Youth Fellowship Initiative for Montgomery County youth ages 16-21! Program features include: Youth participation Stipend ($$) Bi-weekly social justice sessions Leadership field trips County Leadership opportunities Narrative and Advocacy training Special guest facilitators Networking with Montgomery County activists, community leaders, and elected officials. And more. Click here  to register for the Catalyst of Change Youth Initiative Fellowship.

Youth Advisory Council for Reengagement Initiative The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for the Reengagement Initiative held its first meeting in August! YAC members enjoyed getting to know one another over a catered meal and conversation. There was a special chemistry that developed almost instantly among this diverse group of young adults between the ages of 16-24. Each brings their own experience and perspective to the discussion around the reengaging disconnected/opportunity youth. We are looking forward to introducing you to the Facilitator and each of the YAC members over the next several months. We are also excited to have SMYAL as a partner in the Reengagement Initiative. SMYAL will be partnering with us to provide services for LGBTQ young adults in Montgomery County. To welcome them, we are hosting an Open House, with Evan Glass on 9/20 from 4 to 6. Please see flyer for details.

Reengagement Youth Advisory Council meeting

Collaboration Council Expands OST Programming in East County     This month in the Collaboration Council's Out of School Time (OST) Department, we are happy to announce expansion into East County for two groundbreaking programs. We are expanding the reach and accessibility of STEM and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs made possible through funding from the State of Maryland Governor's office for Children (GOC) and Montgomery County Government. This expansion is in partnership with Crittenton Services of Greater Washington and Kids Museum who will deliver services in East County at Francis Scott Key Middle School, White Oak Middle School, and Banneker Middle School. We are excited to partner with OST Youth Development and enrichment providers in the county to expand their reach and ability to serve Montgomery County youth. Staff from Crittenton Services and the Collaboration Council met with Principal Michelle Fortune of Benjamin Banneker Middle School who did not hide her excitement about the expansion of services, "We are so excited to pair with Crittenton Services of Greater Washington and Kid Museum to provide some amazing after school activities for our students. We are thankful for the support that the Collaboration Council has provided to Benjamin Banneker students and our families ."   To further announce Collaboration Council’s East County OST expansion efforts, this month we had the honor of attending the summer MCCPTA Area meeting for the Northeast Consortium/Sherwood Cluster coordinated by NEC-S Area Vice President Charisse Scott. It was a great opportunity for the Collaboration Council to hear the needs and concerns of parents, school administrators and OST providers with whom we look forward to collaborating. It was a great turnout and an opportunity to share with the Northeast Consortium and Sherwood Cluster the Collaboration Council’s various programs & supports for youth!

Bridges to the Future We’re hiring! We are currently looking for a Youth Support Partner, a member of our team who works directly with young people and supports them as they learn self advocacy, share their story, solve barriers, and set a vision for the future. Know someone who would be great in this role?  Click here  to learn more and apply.

Community of Practice   This month 68 youth development practitioners took advantage of these CoP professional development workshops: Implicit Bias, Stress Management for Human Services Professionals, How to Give and Receive Feedback, and Real Talk 4 Girls: Using Restorative Circles to Engage Girls of Color.

Maryland United 4 Youth Conference The 2019 Maryland United 4 Youth Conference is designed to support change-makers to feel unified, supported and inspired. The work of changing the status quo is challenging, making it essential to prioritize connection and personal well-being in the process. Click here to register.