National Action
OYU Spends the Weekend Building Power with the Marguerite Casey Foundation Family

In late May, OYU leaders joined more than 400 grantee, community, and family leaders at Marguerite Casey Foundation’s National Convening in the Washington, D.C. The group spent the weekend exploring what power really means, what it takes to build and grow a movement of low-income families including youth, and how to disrupt and dismantle structural causes of poverty. OYU leaders and members also facilitated a breakout session focused on building power among young people.

Click here to read more about the convening and the foundation.
OYU Partners with Fresh Tracks to Work with Indigenous Communities. 

In early June, OYU members joined the Fresh Tracks crew for their first regional training at a retreat center in western Massachusetts. The convening brought together urban and indigenous communities from Boston, Philadelphia, Hartford, Chicago, upstate New York, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Over the three days, the young leaders participated in a series of interactive workshops focused on personal narrative civic engagement, community organizing and cross-cultural learning. They were also joined by Cecilia Gutierrez, National and Local Program Strategist, Obama Foundation and Conan Harris, Deputy Director, My Brother’s Keeper Boston.
 
Click here to learn more about Fresh Tracks!
Local Action
Mass Governor Signs Expungement Bill!

Congratulations to the many allies and partners of the Boston OYU Community Action Team (UTEC, Teens Leading the Way, Stuck on Replay, I Have a Future, Teen Empowerment, Citizens for Juvenile Justice and more) on the passing of a major criminal justice reform bill!

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed into law a bill promoted by Senator Will Brownsberger, (D), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and passed by both Houses of the State legislature, that includes many provisions that will improve the state's bail system, diminish the use of solitary confinement in prison, increase the use of programs that divert youthful offenders and individuals struggling with mental health issues or drug addiction away from the court system, and allow certain prior offenses, such as possession of small amounts of marijuana, to be expunged from a person's record.

Click here to read more.
Updates on the Movement
The Movement is Growing!
OYU IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THREE NEW COMMUNITY ACTION TEAMS!!!
San Francisco,CA
The Team is Growing!
Please join us in congratulating 4 of our national council members, who have been brought on board as Support Liaisons to assist the Community Action Teams (CATs) carry out their 2018 Voter Education and Mobilization Plans!  Adam Strong, Shanice Turner, Timothy Gunn, and Teresa Rivera will work to support the CATs in achieving their voter engagement goals.
Adam Strong
Rural KY,
YouthBuild rep
Shanice Turner
Atlanta, GA
At-large rep 
Teresa Rivera
Bronx, NY
Public Allies rep
Timothy Gunn
Charleston, SC
The Corps Network rep
Resources & Tools
Get Ready for the 2018 Mid-term Elections
2018 is an important election year. All federal Congresspeople are up for re-election, plus many Senators, Governors, Mayors, and local officials at all levels. Just because there is not a presidential election doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention, choose the people who represent your views, and then VOTE!!!!  We want you to be prepared to have your voice heard!  

Please get prepared now by checking out our Turbo Vote tool and signing up. It will notify you when your elections are happening, and give you the information you need to vote with confidence. You can sign up to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, & apply for your absentee ballot!
 
Leadership Opportunities
Apply to be an America's Promise Youth Leader by 7/29
Are you a young person who is passionate about education or youth development? Are you interested in building your leadership skills?  
 
If so, you  may be a great candidate to become an America’s Promise youth leader!
 
America’s Promise is looking for two young people, ages 16-22, to serve a two-year term on their Board of Directors or as a member of the Alliance Trustees. Those selected will attend annual meetings in Washington, act as a full voting member of the leadership body, and play a valuable role in shaping their strategic direction. Members will serve through spring 2020.

Click here to learn more and apply!
You’re Invited! Webinar on Building Intergenerational Equity
You’re invited to join us for an intergenerational equity webinar on  Wednesday July 25 th from 2 – 3:30 pm ET . The webinar will be co-hosted by Everyday Democracy, Opportunity Youth United, and Youth Voice Project.

This webinar will explore best practices for building intergenerational equity in your work. Youth Voice Project will share their experience in developing intergenerational conversations that provide a welcoming space for people across all generations to enter and tell their stories, voice their opinions, and organize together to create sustainable solutions in a concrete way. Opportunity Youth United will discuss our  national work and how we  organize young leaders and adult allies to work together and build power within communities.
 
For more information about our presenters, visit this  link . This webinar is free and open to the public, so you are welcome to pass on this information to your networks!
In Solidarity,
Lashon Amado
National Coordinator of the Community Action Teams of Opportunity Youth United
Lashon Amado