CHALK NEWSLETTER

JULY 2006

"Before being hired at CHALK I was always headed down a slippery slope that seemed untamable or was just a part of "normal" life. Only until I worked here did I realize I had unconsciously filled myself with a hollow hope. From day one at CHALK I gained a 20/20 vision with concrete goals and skills to help secure myself a positive future."
Victor Petersen, Age 17
Latest
On the Web Employees of the Month
This month, CHALK and YouthLINE staff are doing big things!
YOUTHLINE.ORG


Youthline.org has new features including an event section, jobs listings, summer activities and more!

WE ARE HIRING!
Looking for a job? Come to YOUTHLINE! Come to CHALK! Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids (CHALK) are hiring 17 youths for two part time positions: CHALK outreach Worker and Youthline Listener. No prior experience necessary. We will train you. Must be 14-17 years old. More information? Click here.

YOUTHLINE DATABASE
Our YouthLINE database is one of the most resourceful and easy-to-use websites on the internet for youth and families in San Francisco. Our resources range from bus lines to hotlines to disabled services. All you have to do is click a button and our database will search over hundreds of organizations in San Francisco.

Your agency not listed?

Let us know! Fill out this form and our Online Specialist team will add it into our database for you.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Have an upcoming event coming soon? Youthline.org can help you spread the word! On the events section of our website, we list San Francisco events in four categories: Community meetings, Workshops, General and Youth Outings. Email us your event with details and we can post it on our website!

THE SUMMER IS HERE
The Summer Activities page lists many programs and opportunities for children and parents in San Francisco ranging from Summer camps to Summer programs. Parents can also get involved in organizations this summer by visiting our Parents Support Page.

Direct me to the Summer Activities!

Please join in congratulating both John Recinos (YFYI Evaluator) and Marianne Perez (Outreach) for being our newest employees of the month.

John Recinos
John is a Youth Evaluator for CHALK's Youth Funding Youth Ideas youth grant making program. He is all about funding great youth-led projects that are truly beneficial to the community. John has been involved in many other youth organizations and is always willing to take on new tasks and projects for CHALK and its youth. Currently, he is organizing a teambuilding Ropes Course for 30 youth and adult staff. Thanks for your hard work John!

"Not very many youth can say that they have five years of experience at my age. I'm very grateful for that because if it wasn't for this that program I don't know where I would be right now. These programs literally changed my life and help make me the person I am today."
John Recinos, Age 17

Marianne Perez
In the past 3 years of working at CHALK, Marianne has been a YFYI grant-maker and is now a Community Outreach Worker. Marianne started working for CHALK when she was 14 years old, now at 17 yrs old, she is a leader in serving her peers while on street outreach shifts. She networks with other organizations and has promoted CHALK at hundred of events. Marianne deserves to be recognized because she has developed into a solid and strong youth staff!
YouthLINE on TV!

YouthLINE on television? Yes! You heard right. Chalk/Youthline is in collaboration with Channel 29. Youthline staff are trained and mentored by Access SF staff on the workings of the station's unique Flash Studio. Once certified, the youth producers will produce a half hour, live/call-in programs that will change Youthline's toll free hotline in San Francisco!

Our July show dates are:
July 5th - @ 5 pm
July 19th - @ 5 pm
Youth Funding Youth Ideas

YFYI is funding youth led projects of up to $10,000 per project. Know a young person interested in getting funded for a project or interested in leading? We have applications in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Click here for our website!

YFYI is proud to highlight two amazing funded projects:

Smoothies R Us by Youth With a Vengeance

Smoothies R Us is a project that will be run by Youth with a Vengeance out of the Indo-Chinese Housing Southeast Asia Children, Youth and Family Program. This project’s focus is to encourage young people to make healthy snack choices by selling healthy snacks-mainly smoothies-at their after-school program. The program is also designed to teach the youth running the smoothie business, the necessary skills for entrepreneurship. To further improve this great program, Smoothies R Us is looking for volunteers with business experience (especially those in the food industry) to do some training on how to run a successful business. They are also looking to decorate their kitchen and are seeking donations of wallpaper and other decorative things. If you are interested in helping this group out please call Tom Heath at (415) 441-2873 or by email at: theath@ihdcsf.org. You can taste the merchandise at 375 Eddy Street In San Francisco during after-school hours.

"I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to prove that young people can be leaders."
-- Treaviona Bryan, Age 16, YFYI Program Offiicer

Supa Sick Wid It Dance Crew

The Supa Sick Wid It Dance Crew are a dynamic group of youth part of the SF Ground Movement, who, through dance and the arts tackle the issues of civic engagement, violence prevention and social justice in the Bay View Hunter’s Point. The Crew will receive training on organizing and leadership from Coleman Advocates to further develop their program and participate regularly in community events. Through dance as a medium for social change, Supa Sick Wid It is making positive moves in Hunter’s Point. The Crew wants to expand their 25-member group to include youth from across San Francisco as they have been invited to participate in regional competitions. The group would like to incorporate as many young people as possible in their movement. They recognize that dance is not the only form of art that youth are interested in and would like to expand into the media arts to not only document their amazing dancing abilities but to give other youth, not interested in dance, the opportunity to explore the possibilities of arts through media. They are interested in donations of digital cameras, a video camera and a new computer. If you are interested in donating to this group please contact Tinisch Hollins, Supa Sick Wid It’s adult ally at: (415)-240-6988 Supa Sick Wid It is also looking for a regular space on neutral ground to hold practices at. If you or someone you know can provide a safe space for these dedicated youth to convene, please contact the group at: supasickwidit05@aim.com .

Find out more about YFYI and our funded projects on our website: http://www.chalk.org/yfyi