Issue #50 | April 2022
Hello Changemakers - from all of us here at United Way Youth Venture (UWYV), Changemaking and Portrait of a Graduate (POG).

The 2nd Annual Healthy Minds Virtual Youth Conference was a GREAT success. Students from all grades were in attendance as Corey DePina, from Zumix.org opened the event with an exciting keynote presentation and DJ Ome brought down the house with high energy and great music!

There were two Venture Team launches this month. The NoSo Homeschool group (Homeschool Changemakers) officially launched as a United Way Youth Venture Team. Their mission is to raise money to donate to the Adey Wildlife Rehabilitation. Operation Courtyard Cleanup from Parker Charter School launched with a mission to bring the school courtyard back to it's former glory.

We are looking forward to announcing the UWYV scholarship award recipients at the United Way Thank You event on April 27 at Great Wolf Lodge.

If you're looking for an exciting and fulfilling position - - UWYV is hiring! Part-time Outreach Specialist positions are open and applications are being accepted now. See below! And please share with anyone you think would be interested and a great asset to our team.

As always, we are grateful for your continued support.

~the United Way Youth Venture Team!


Students of the North Central Mass community came together to learn from from passionate leaders, and from community organizations who are invested in supporting the youth in our area. This year’s Healthy Minds event brought health and real-world skill-building to K-12 schools across the region with a theme of “Curiosity and Connection”. Teachers and students were able to select from breakout sessions that sparked personal interests, satisfy curiosity, and help them plan for their future.

Corey DePina, of Zumix.org, motivated and energized the students through an inspirational keynote presentation to kick off the event. DJ Ome kept the tunes spinning and the energy up as students and teachers chose workshop sessions that reflected their own interests or included ideas in which they wanted to gain more knowledge.

All sessions were recorded and will be available shortly on our website! Stay tuned!
Thank you to our 2022 Healthy Minds Sponsors!
NoSo Homeschool Group, Homeschool Changemakers

Our first ever Homeschool group wanted to help the injured wildlife of North Central Mass by raising money for the Adey Wildlife Recue of Ashburnham, MA. After the Venturers did their research they came to understand the myriad of animals that Adey Wildlife Rescue assists and their need for funding to support their work. The Venturers will host a bake sale in front of the Farmer’s Exchange in Townsend to gather donations for their cause.
Parker Charter School, Operation Courtyard Cleanup

Students at Parker Charter School want to bring their courtyard back to its former glory. Their Venture is to join forces with the student body, administration, Board of Trustees and community to renew the courtyard area to an outdoor classroom and collaboration space for students and staff. This multi-step renovation will begin with the Venturers raising funds to replace the benches throughout the space.
Join a fun and dynamic team in a rewarding and inspiring position as a part-time Outreach Specialist supporting and guiding K-12 youth in North Central Mass!

United Way Youth Venture (UWYV) is a program that engages K-12 youth in the creation and development of their own socially benefiting, entrepreneurial clubs, organizations and projects. Young people involved in UWYV combine their passions and skills to address a problem they see in their community through an entirely youth-led and youth-created process. The Outreach Specialist will implement in-person and virtual delivery of UWYV at partner sites and promote programing to key stakeholders.

Responsibilities: 
  • Provide outreach for the UWYV program in North Central Massachusetts, ensuring delivery of high quality programming;
  • Support the growth and expansion of UWYV at partnering organizations, including K-12 schools, and engage meaningfully with youth, families, and educators across the region;
  • Support new and existing groups of participating youth;
  • Support and maintain established relationships with partnering organizations, including K-12 schools, through communications and outreach;
  • Implement UWYV programming with on-site and virtual partners as well as independently lead and facilitate direct support to youth and adults;
  • If allowed, travel to several partner sites to conduct site visits and outreach;
  • Help the Assistant Director in determining and scheduling program training sessions and dates, as well as generating content for activities and facilitating workshops;
  • Proficiently use virtual collaboration tools (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams) to deliver the program remotely in a meaningful and engaging way;
  • Utilize database to record and track outreach to youth, program partners and adult volunteers;
  • Support evaluation of students and adults engaged in UWYV through targeted outreach and follow-up;
  • Participate in the planning and implementation of in-person/virtual events for UWYV, and other related initiatives including Changemaking and Portrait of a Graduate;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • High School graduate or equivalent (GED);
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills;
  • Proficient in the use of technology;
  • Ability to set and achieve goals and take initiative within the workplace;
  • Spanish-English bi-lingual preferred;
  • Experience working with students, faculty members, businesses, and/or nonprofit agencies desirable;
  • Belief in the power of youth to create positive change;
  • Must have access to reliable transportation and high quality internet connection.