June 10, 2013
service dog Cody  
An Afternoon with John Hess and his Service Dog Cody
  
Greetings!

We are very honored that John Hess will be our guest speaker at our next leadership meeting on Saturday, June 15, from 12:30 to 2:00 in the Community Meeting Room at the St. Anthony Library. We hope you will join us to meet John, who is blind and uses a service dog named Cody. You will surely enjoy his entertaining stories about some of his experiences navigating the world (yes, the world - hoping he tells part of that tale). Let us know if you plan to come! Click here to go to our blog to learn more about John and this event...
  
Our programming is made possible by support from our generous community members. We invite you to give if you can to help us grow as a resource for youth with disabilities.
  
We are now on Razoo, making it easy to donate. Click here for our donation page... We hope you will join us in supporting the great work of our youth, who have so much to offer our communities!
  
If you know of others who may like to hear from us, please forward this newsletter along and encourage them to join our mailing list. Thanks!
  
**Scroll to the bottom of this e-newsletter for our website, blog, Facebook, and contact information.
  
We are now an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization! 
Please consider making The Youth Legacy Foundation a part of your annual giving plans.
We Were on the TV Show "Disability Viewpoints"
 
"Disability Viewpoints" is an award-winning community television program for the disability community. In this segment, youth advisory council member, Imani Cruzen, co-hosts the show to discuss adapted softball, how adaptations are made for students with disabilities, and the great social and learning experience of being on a team. She plays for the "Lakers," which is a combined team (Wayzata and Minnetonka High Schools). Imani interviewed YLF's executive director, Bridget Siljander, who happens to be her mom! Also in this segment is coverage from the Disability Rally at the State Capitol on April 25, which had a turnout of an estimated 900 people. Show host and YLF board member, Mark Hughes, interviewed a number of advocates, including Bridget, which gave YLF an opportunity to share some information about who we are, how we got started, and a bit about what we do (which is always evolving). To watch the show and learn all about happenings across the disability community, click here and then click on the "June 2013" show...  
Read below for some resources that we think may be of interest.
(Visit us on Facebook, where we post many more resources daily.)
 Then scroll further for recent activities.
Mobility International USA
Want a life-changing international experience? It's possible! As Mobility International USA says, "Challenge Yourself and Change the World!" They offer disability leadership programs around the world. Our board chair, Mai Thor, went on a youth trip with them to Costa Rica and said that she highly recommends their programs. For more information (and a great video) and to consider going on an adventure with Mobility International, click here...
  
PACER's
National Bullying Prevention Center
PACER is a great organization with a wealth of resources for youth and families. Bullying has been receiving a lot of attention in the media and in public policy recently. We at YLF believe that you can empower yourself with education and tools. For more information on this excellent program and to watch an inspiring video, click here...  
Read below for some of our recent activities.
Youth Presented at State Conference
 
YLF youth leaders, Aaron, Alyssa, and Imani, attended and presented at the Minnesota Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference ("Together, Yes we CAN!") on April 26. The title of their presentation was "Youth Building Legacies." They discussed steps you can take to start building your own legacy in the community, starting with getting in touch with your passion for making a difference. They did a wonderful job and we are so proud of them! Click here for a link to a video from the conference...
  
Disability Day at the Capitol
 
Youth leaders, Aaron and Alyssa, attended a huge disability rally at the State Capitol on April 25. They learned about giving a rally speech by watching executive director, Bridget Siljander, close the presentation with a speech asking for support for caregivers. They also met Governor Mark Dayton, Representative Jim Abeler, Senator John Marty, and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. We are nonpartisan, and we encourage civic engagement. We also were interviewed on the community television show "Disability Viewpoints" and will post a link when it is available. A "Star Tribune" reporter asked Alyssa about YLF. What a day we had! Click here to go to our Facebook page to see photos...
  
Mission Statement: 
The Youth Legacy Foundation engages youth in humanitarian, charitable, and service activities to empower them to lead exemplary lives and create their legacies in the community while making a difference and changing the world.

 

Lidia visit seniors    
In This Issue
We Are Now a 501(c)(3)
We Were on TV
Mobility International USA
PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center
Recent Activities
Youth Present at Conference
Youth Attend Rally
Mission
Join Our Mailing List

Bridget Siljander
The Youth Legacy Foundation

bridget@youthlegacyfoundation.org 

www.youthlegacyfoundation.org

www.facebook.com/youthlegacyfoundation

http://youthlegacyfoundation.wordpress.com/

612-272-0281

FREE 
Participation in The Youth Legacy Foundation is free for participants and families.  For more information about how you can make a difference while growing in confidence and experience, contact us at bridget@youthlegacyfoundation.org or 612-272-0281.
  
Offer Never Expires