ART+ Activism 

YOUTH POWER! wants to amplify your voice in our efforts to change the system. We want your quotes on creative coping skills and what helps what harms in the system. Enjoy FREE food and drinks while learning about creativity and advocacy. This event is for New York City youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 29 who have a disability or have received mental health, addiction, child welfare and/or justice services.

YOUTH POWER! is proud to offer The How To's of Youth Guided Practice! This five-hour interactive training is designed for individuals who would like to meaningfully engage young people in guiding policy and practice in their agency, community, and/or System of Care.

This free multi-county training will be hosted in Niagara County on October 21, 2016 from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided with a 1-hour lunch "on your own". Check out the flyer for more information.  Individuals can register at YPHowTo.eventbrite.com. 

If you have any questions, please contact Brianna Valesey at bvalesey@youthpowerny.org  or by phone at 518-432-0333 ext. 31.

Rensselaer County's Youth Advisory Council, Voices of Youth Advisors (VOYA), is partnering with the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV) to host a Knowledge Night event in the month of October!

Christopher Walsh, Facilitated Enroller at the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, will share about the impact of working on Social Security Disability (SSDI), SSI and Medicaid/Medicare, as well as information about ABLE accounts, and other ways to maintain benefits while working.

Youth and families are invited to attend this FREE event, but because food will be served, RSVP is required. RSVP at the link below, or by contacting Elijah Fagan-Solis at 518-432-0333 ext. 19 or emailing voya.rensco@youthpowerny.org.

ILCHV RSVP link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VOYAILCHV

YP!'s Assistant Director, Kristina Hebner-Akbar, will be leading a workshop alongside other youth representatives on " The Role of Trauma on Transition Age Youth. " In this interactive workshop, participants will discuss what causes trauma, how trauma impacts young people and their communities, and what helps heal trauma. Participants will also have an opportunity to hear from young people regarding how trauma has impacted their lives and the services they have received to reveal what helped and what was harmful to their recovery and resilience.

The Regional Youth Partners are peer leaders that connect local youth groups, coordinate regional youth advocacy efforts and provide technical assistance on youth engagement and peer support.

LOCATION: Applicant must reside in one of the 20 counties in the region. Preferred location is Syracuse.

STATUS: Full-time salary employee - $30,000+ commensurate on experience, plus benefits package.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have personal lived experience accessing children's mental health services and be willing to share this information publically. Additional experience with Disability, Foster Care, Addiction, or Juvenile Justice is beneficial.
• Bachelor's or Associates Degree preferred but not required
• Must have valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Must be able to travel

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants must send a resume with a formal cover letter in order to be considered. Emails and letters must indicate the title of the position that the applicant is seeking.

For the full posting and instructions on how to apply, click here.  

I have found that nothing quite picks me up in the midst of a long day the way a milkshake from Stewart's Shops does. I was recently proven wrong when I went to get my pick me up and was pleasantly surprised to see a former RAMP youth joyfully working hard cashing out customers and then come over to mix my chocolate peanut butter cup milkshake. It was great to see him thriving in employment and even being offered extra hours in my presence.The milkshake was delicious, too, by the way.

RAMP uses group, peer, and individualized mentoring to teach youth about job options, to set and reach goals, as well as successfully transition them to employment, post-secondary education, and independent living. Often times, various seeds are planted in mentoring relationships and we don't always get to see them grow; oh but what a joy and sense of accomplishment it is to see the seeds bloom - even if it just one flower.

What is even better is when you get to see numerous seeds bloom and see even more parts of the plants budding. While attending my niece's graduation, I heard the name of a former RAMP youth who was also graduating with aspirations to join our nation's military. I also connected with two other alumni over the summer who had graduated from Albany High; one is currently working multiple jobs, and the other is attending a local community college for theater as acting and singing were always his goal.

My favorite flower, because of how much resiliency it has shown, bloomed this summer. This youth faced issues with bullying, getting into fights in and out of school, truancy, and numerous suspensions. He made the decision with the help of his mentor to attend night school so that he could focus on his goal of graduating all while working multiple jobs. He made up all the work needed and was passing the classes he was taking, yet he faced adversity once again in the form of a History Regents Exam that kept him from graduation in June. With the encouragement of his mentors, sharing of resources, and studying, this youth persevered and recently graduated last month! He continues to thrive in employment and hopes to attend college in the spring.

While only a few alumni were mentioned, many are doing great things and success isn't limited only to alumni either. Current RAMP youth have also been thriving in employment, volunteer opportunities, camps, sports, and more. Even greater things are expected with the start of the school year upon us. What a beautiful aroma it is when you stop and smell the roses.

By Melanie Hecker

It is time once again to elect The President of the United States. In the past and present, both youth and disabled voters have not had fully accessible and inclusive voting opportunities. As a result, youth and disabled voter turnouts have historically been low. In 2014, the last Federal election, youth turnout was only 19.9% of youth aged 18-30, the lowest it has ever been for Federal elections. In 2012, 57.2% of people with disabilities did not vote, with 30% of them wanting to vote but not being able due to access barriers. During an election year, it is especially important to take action and amplify the youth and disability votes.  

Young people are one of the most important voting demographics. Youth make up 20% of the population eligible to vote, which means the youth vote has a lot of influence. Young people are also the most diverse voting group and most often affected by modern issues, such as the economic recession and environmental depletion. With social media, blogs, and other easily accessible sources providing information about the candidates, making an informed decision has become much easier for young people. Young people have great power in elections and the decisions made by our society can have a long-lasting impact on their lives.

The disability vote is another potentially powerful voting group. Sadly, a lack of accessible voting has made getting the vote out very difficult. In the last election, 72% of polling places were not accessible. Difficulties faced can include not being able to maneuver a wheelchair in the voting space, disrespect from poll workers, accessible machines being not set up or broken, no clear instructions on how to use the accessible machines, and lack of privacy. In 2000, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed to address these issues. HAVA requires polling places be accessible, use encouraging ballots, and allow people with disabilities to cast their votes privately. However, since inaccessible voting is still an issue today, it is important for us to step up and take action.

Youth and people with disabilities can help by providing feedback to polling places, participating in voting focus groups, and promoting knowledge of accessible voting methods. For disability campaigns, use the hashtags #CripTheVote, #RevUP, #VoteDisability, #DisabilityVote, and  #GOTVDisability on social media to amplify your voice as a part of the disability movement. You can also use the youth vote hashtag #YouthVote and #RockTheVote. Perhaps the biggest way someone can challenge inaccessible voting is by volunteering as a poll worker.  Often times, polls are inaccessible because individuals do not know how to use or set up the accessible machines. If you want to ensure yourself and/or others are able to access the polls, volunteer! Not only is this a great professional experience, but you have the opportunity to amplify our voices. See http://www.elections.ny.gov/BecomePollworker.html for more details.

Voter Resources:

Registration and Deadlines: Visit  www.rockthevote.com or your local Department of Motor Vehicles or Independent Living Center.

Amplifying the Disability Vote: visit  http://www.aapd.com/our-focus/voting/ or  http://www.sabeusa.org/govoter/ 

New York Disability Vote Network: visit www.nydvn.org

DRNY Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access:  http://www.drny.org/p-a-for-voting-access--pava-.html

For more reasons why young people need to vote, please visit http://www.thebestcolleges.org/9-reasons-we-need-young-voters-more-than-ever/ 

Self Advocates Becoming Empowered. "Voter Resources". Self Advocates Becoming

Empowered. Web. 6.September 2016.

Texas Disability Project. Rev-Up Toolkit. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print

The Best Colleges. "9 Reasons We Need Young Voters More Than Ever." The Best

Colleges. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2016.

THE CENTER FOR INFORMATION & RESEARCH ON CIVIC LEARNING AND

ENGAGEMENT. "Youth Voting." THE CENTER FOR INFORMATION & RESEARCH ON CIVIC LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2016.

Are you looking for a way to learn useful skills, build a resume, and make a difference all at the same time? If so, consider joining the Action Workgroup! This group puts YP!'s important priority items into action. 

Currently, Action has two projects: the Multiple Pathways to a High School Diploma Campaign, and the Sexual Health Campaign. For the Multiple Pathways to a High School Diploma campaign, we are taking on projects to encourage the New York State Board of Regent's to implement more than one way to earn a High School Diploma. For the Sexual Health Campaign, we are developing projects to increase sexual health and healthy relationship information for youth with disabilities and state system involvement.

The Action Workgroup meets over conference call every other week. If you are interested in joining, please contact Melanie Hecker at 518-432-0333 ext 14 or mhecker@youthpowerny.org

For the full recovery month toolkit, click here.