Happy Holidays Changemakers - from all of us here at United Way Youth Venture (UWYV), Changemaking and Portrait of a Graduate (POG).  

It has been a busy and productive fall, being out and about at our partner schools. UWYV staff has been welcomed to present the inspiring and engaging Dream It, Do It Assembly at many schools. Students have been working hard on their Action Plans, with several teams being almost ready to present at a community panel and launch as an official United Way Youth Venture Team. Groups of Venturers have also been out in the community doing hard, but rewarding, work.

We are honored to once again receive a grant from the Reliant Foundation for our Healthy Minds Youth Conference - - this time it will be an in-person event at MWCC, on March 24, 2023. We look forward to bringing 450 elementary and middle school students to campus in person for the first time in three years.

The date of the annual United Way Youth Venture Stakeholders Breakfast has been announced. Mark your calendars for February 15, 2023. More information and invites to come soon.

We are looking for a dynamic person to fulfil an Outreach Liaison position. The Outreach Liaison is responsible for program implementation of United Way Youth Venture (UWYV), a program that engages young people, primarily in grades K-14, in the creation and development of youth-led and youth-created teams to uniquely address social and civic challenges. During the process of action planning, the Outreach Liaison ensures that youth learn critical leadership skills including teamwork, empathy, problem-solving, and well-being. Get in touch today for more information or watch this link to search for the position when it becomes live shortly. https://mwcc.edu/about-mwcc/offices/hr/employment/

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

As always, we are grateful for your continued support.  

~the United Way Youth Venture Team!



Youth Venture students at McKay 21st Century after-school program got busy cleaning up their school grounds. Staff did an observation walk with them around the campus to notice things they liked or that could be improved. They noticed some trash in the field next to McKay and decided that was something they could help to improve. Given that the two causes they determined were important to them from the Environment Scan that staff led them through (helping animals and helping friends), it was a perfect fit and a great way to make a difference. They did a wonderful job!

Youth Venture students at McKay Elementary wanted to look into making improvements to neighboring Green Street (Mama Fitz) Park. They noticed old play features and furnishings, and wanted to get information about replacing them. They did some research, got in touch with James Bunnell, head of Fitchburg's Department of Parks and Recreation, and took a field trip to Green Street Park. There they got to meet Mr. Bunnell and get information about some possible funding to make improvements to the park. Later they enjoyed some pizza before heading back to McKay. A special thank you to James Bunnell for his kindness, and willingness to meet and talk with the students.

Tent Building = Team Building. Youth Venture students at McKay 21st Century had a great lesson in teamwork. Students were instructed to break into teams of four. They were given a boxed tent to unpackage and set up, and were told that somewhere in the packaging were the instructions. The team above took everything out of the box and started building, without consulting directions. When that wasn’t working, they found the directions. After they read through them and figured out the pieces, they were able to get the poles through and into the clips, and raise the tent. Overall great teamwork and no major conflicts. Well done, team! 

"Dream It, Do It" Assembly at Reingold Elementary School

UWYV staff inspired future Changemakers at Reingold Elementary School with the exciting Dream It, Do It assembly. Michelle and Scott led students on a journey of passion and skills discovery, awareness of "community" and the Youth Venture process. The Reingold team is already hard at work in their Venture planning.

Thank you to the Reliant Foundation and United Way of NCM for believing in and supporting this important event, the Healthy Minds Youth Conference. We look forward to bringing our students together for this exciting field trip on March 24, 2023. This event wouldn't be possible without your support.

United Way Youth Venture Stakeholders Breakfast

with special emphasis on mental health

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 7:30-9:30 a.m.

(Snow date: Thursday, February 16)

Convening education leaders in the continuum of K-12 to higher education and workforce. The event will celebrate courageous examples of students creating positive change in North Central MA as well as provide a forum to make connections among many organizations seeking improvement in our education system and the overall wellbeing of members of our learning community.

Hosted at:

Mount Wachusett Community College

North Café, Gardner Campus, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440