Don't Runaway Taskforce and More!

Don't Runaway Program Update

Rob Donnelly (Director of Volunteers) and Kristina England (Executive Director) are now fully engaged in the Don't Runaway Taskforce.  The Taskforce is taking a look at the current National Don't Runaway Program and making enhancements, including:

• A new website for local programs and school clubs
  
• Updated training documentation
  
• Informational materials for distribution.
  

We look forward to helping out the National program and gaining an understanding of how we can establish Don't Runaway Programs in Massachusetts.

Find out more about the Don't Runaway Program at http://www.dontrunaway.org/.

Safety in Numbers Conference

On Friday June 12^th, Rob Donnelly and Allyson Trull (Director of Outreach) attended the Safety in Numbers²: The Power of Prevention and Partnerships For At-Risk Youth Conference presented by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Youth Violence Prevention Program in Worcester. Rob and Ally attended workshops on:

• Youth development approaches in working with at-risk youth,
• Non-violent conflict resolution,
• The use of community mobilization to address violence, and
• Working with urban, at-risk youth.

They also participated in a panel discussion on collaboration between different youth programs and organizations in order to effect greater change and heard a lecture on the modern challenges of youth violence from the keynote speaker, James Alan Fox, Ph.D., professor of Law, Policy and Society at Northeastern University.  

The conference provided information that will help the group incorporate some new perspectives and approaches into their work with Worcester youth. It was also a great opportunity to network with other organizations in Worcester and meet like-minded people who are working for a better future for youth throughout the state of Massachusetts.

What We're Up To This Week

Ally Trull returned to street outreach this week with the outreach counselors.  

As we move into the second year of street outreach, we would like to try out other street outreach locations.  Right now we focus on Downtown and Main South.  Any suggestions on other places to try street outreach would be great.  We outreach to kids 21 years and under.  

What do we provide?

• Immediate resources (e.g., food, clothes, sleeping bags)
  
• Long term support (educational assistance, job search support, life-skills training, etc.)
  
• Counselors who care and, at even turn, prove it
  

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Other Activities

Currently, Rob Donnelly and Kristina England are working on updating both the basic volunteer training and street outreach training.  As the program makes plans for an Outreach Center, we will also need to look at developing training materials for Outreach Center counselors.

The next Volunteer Information Session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the Worcester Public Library.  Come check it out.  We have a great group of volunteers and, with an Outreach Center in the near future, we could really use a few more extra hands.

SUFK Worcester Welcomes Back Ally!

We are pleased to have Ally Trull, Director of Outreach, back with us after four months of studying aboard.  Ally is both a knowledgeable and dedicated street outreach counselor.  Her return to the street outreach program promises to strengthen an already wonderful group of counselors.

In other news, we are currently working on an agreement with a local organization for an Outreach Drop-in Center.  Our plan is to open a drop in center for a couple hours once a week to The center provide a place for kids to:

• Pick up food, clothes, and other resources
• Attend activities (e.g., films, workshops) 
• Utilize our services (e.g., GED program information, resume building).

Achievements

Congratulations to the following volunteers for receiving volunteer of the month:

• Sue Kramer - Volunteer of the Month, April 2009
• Mary Ann Stoica - Volunteer of the Month, May 2009

Upcoming Events

Ally Trull and Rob Donnelly will attend the MA Dept of Public Health Youth Violence Prevention Conference on June 12th in Worcester.  

Oz Diaz, Rob Donnelly, Sue Kramer, and Ally Trull will attend the Community Health Link Fair in mid-June.

This Week at StandUp For Kids - Worcester

Last Thursday, Sue (Director of Kid Development) did a great job running the volunteer meeting when Kristina (Executive Director) and Rob (Director of Volunteers) were absent.  Thank you, Sue!  And thank you to Donna for taking the minutes!

This past Tuesday, our outreach counselors went out to the streets, as they do every week, and talked to youth.  They are the most dedicated and caring people an outreach program could have.  We could not be where we are today without their commitment. 

Rob ran the monthly volunteer information session on Wednesday, May 27th.  He has put together a wonderful informational presentation.  Come check it out at next month's information session on June 24th.  If you are not interested in volunteering, just come and learn about StandUp For Kids.  We need help in all forms, from donations to spreading the word throughout the community.  You can stand up for kids just by recognizing the fact that there are homeless and at-risk youth out there that need our help. 

This evening, Kristina, Rob, and Mary Ann (Director of Public Relations) wrapped up the second Outreach Center Committee Meeting.  They have made great progress.  Rob has even developed a in depth Outreach Center Plan.

Lastly, thank you to Mary Ann for writing up a short article for the May National Newsletter on our 24 Hours on the Street event (April 24-25, 2009).  A picture of the event is posted above.

Worcester Makes Plans for an Outreach Center

The Worcester Program's number one goal for 2009 is to obtain an Outreach Center.  We hope to have more news about this venture shortly.  

How can you help us reach our goal?

• Join the group as a volunteer.  You can assist with the outreach center, public relations, volunteer recruitment, or more!  Our next information session is on Wednesday, May 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the Banx Meeting Room at the Worcester Public Library.
  
• Donations are always welcome.  Visit our fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/standupforkidsworcester.

Recent Achievements

Our wonderful Director of Public Relations, Mary Ann, wrote a news article regarding the Worcester Program's 24 Hours on the Street (April 24-25, 2009) event that will appear in the StandUp For Kids National Newsletter.  Great job, Mary Ann!

Recap on our visit to Boston

Three of our Worcester Program volunteers traveled to Boston on Saturday, May 9th.  The SUFK Boston program invited us to attend their volunteer training and Youth Pride Day.  Kristina England (Executive Director) along with a new volunteer, Donna, attended the volunteer training.  Rob Donnelly (Director of Volunteers) assisted SUFK Boston volunteers at Youth Pride Day.  We had an incredible time and really enjoyed getting to know the Boston volunteers.  Thank you to Ben and Bernie for extending the invitation.  The picture on the left is of Rob and Ben at Youth Pride Day on the Boston Common.  

Upcoming

Kristina speaks at the Alpha Gamma Meeting on Thursday, May 21st.  Alpha Gamma is a local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of practicing and retired educators. 

We are also very excited to have Allyson Trull (Director of Outreach) arriving home from a semester in Spain at the end of May.  We can't wait for her return!

Welcome to the StandUp For Kids Worcester Blog!

That's right.  StandUp For Kids Worcester now has a blog.  If you're here, you are probably curious about our program.  StandUp For Kids Worcester is one of over 40 programs across the country who are committed to helping homeless youth ages 21 and under.  

What are we up to this week?

• Our outreach counselors go to the streets weekly to help homeless and at risk youth in Worcester.
  
• A few of us are heading out to see the StandUp For Kids Boston program on Saturday, May 9th.  We'll attend refresher volunteer training and assist the Boston program with a local awareness event.  
  

Recent Achievements

• Worcester recently completed 24 Hours on the Street on April 24th and April 25th to raise awareness about youth homelessness.  During the event, we held a Candlelight Vigil, the Walk in the Shoes of a Street Kid, the Turn Purple Campaign, and seven hours of Street Outreach.  Check out the YouTube Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DOYt7k4th4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fgroup%2Ephp%3Fgid%3D10114422519%26ref%3Dts&feature=player_embedded

Check out this blog on a weekly basis for more about our program.