411 - Have a youth-led project?

Mayor Newsom meets with CHALK’s youth about violence in SF

In early May, Mayor Newsom visited the CHALK office to ask youth staff about issues relating to violence and their suggestions on how to address such issues. CHALK’s youth staff were excited to have the opportunity to ask the Mayor about his plans to address violence and to provide input from a first-hand perspective.

CHALK receives a $25,000 grant from GGS Foundation for its work in youth development and employment! We truly appreciate the grant and look forward to working with GGS Foundation in serving SF's young people.

Please join in congratulating Shirley Chow (YFYI) for being our newest employee of the month.

She is this month’s Youth staff of the month. Congrats Shirley, you are a hard worker, a strong woman. A passionate advocate, an optimistic friendly friend. And above it all. You are humble. Shirley, You rock! - YFYI Coordinator, Andrea Juarez

I’m soo proud of you! You kick major bum at your job! All your projects absolutely adore you, and everyone who has had the opportunity to work with you appreciates you. You definitely are a strong passionate woman. You always cheer me up when I’m in an ehh mood ,and you always make me smile. SHIRLEY, You rock my socks! - YFYI Program Officer, Kayla Lebo

Visit YFYI

CHALK’s Marquez Gray is given one of the four “Champion for Children” awards at DCYF’s Children and Youth Summit 2007.

Awarded by DCYF and presented by Mayor Gavin Newsom, Marquez was acknowledged for his dedication to youth in San Francisco. For those of you who have not had the chance to meet this outstanding young man, here is some history according to CHALK Project Director, Ruth Barajas.   Marquez "became a peer supervisor at age 17, an outreach coordinator at 18 and the Senior Outreach Coordinator at 20. He has supervised and supported over 50 youth, but has touched thousands through his work with middle and high school youth in schools, community programs and on the streets.  He has gone to great lengths to support youth - visiting them at juvenile hall, representing them in school or court hearings, facilitating his own meetings with parents, going to a young person's home or school just because he couldn't reach them any other way... He is an inspirational young adult, who at 21, has had more positive influence on youth, than most people will their whole life."

Are you a youth 14-17 and live in San Francisco? YFYI is hiring 12 youths for two positions: 6 Program Officers and 6 Youth Evaluators! We're extending our deadline to July 1st, 2007 @ 8 PM.

What is YFYI?  
YFYI is a youth-led program that seeks to foster young San Franciscans with the opportunity to expand on their leadership goals by funding their project ideas.

If I worked for YFYI what would I do?           
Youth, ages 14-17, who work for YFYI, are responsible for deciding on who gets money (grants) to run youth led projects that focus on helping the community. YFYI youth staff also help young people apply for the money. The youth staff are also responsible for figuring out how well the youth led projects are growing and how well the youth are growing as they run these youth-led projects.

To apply, Click here to download an application.

VISIT YFYI