YP4 National Summit: Jan. 17–21

YP4 staff and the steering committee have been hard at work preparing for the fourth annual National Summit, which will take place this month in Washington, D.C. We are excited to welcome the new class of fellows!

[ Read the agenda and learn more ]

Advanced Fellowship Opportunities

Have you completed at least one year of the fellowship program? Continuing fellows are eligible for paid internships, membership in the Intergenerational Network, paid positions on the Little Black Book Editorial Board and additional funding for Blueprint for Social Justice projects.

[ Learn about advanced fellowship opportunities ]

A-TOWN Arizona

Young People For is pleased to help sponsor A-TOWN Arizona, a five-day leadership development retreat taking place Jan. 10–15. YP4 fellow and University of Arizona student Dustin Cox is organizing A-TOWN Arizona. As a catalyst and facilitator of social change, A-TOWN Arizona provides youth leadership development programs focusing on diversity awareness, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication. Young People For can assist interested fellows with registration and travel expenses. For more information, contact Andrew Meade at 212.420.0440 x20 or ameade @ pfaw.org.

Leadership Academy Retreat

The YP4 Leadership Academy is coming to Washington this month for its second retreat. The 16 Leadership Academy fellows will engage in workshops designed to continue to develop their leadership capacity and deepen their understanding of the movement. After the retreat, fellows will begin their second five-month placements with progressive organizations in New York, Denver, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

[ About the Leadership Academy ]

Young People For was thrilled when 2006 fellow Kamaria Moir turned her internship into a full-time job offer at Baltimore Education Network last year. Kamaria participated in YP4’s internship program, where she was matched with a mentor and developed a professional relationship that translated into a job offer at the end of the program. Kamaria’s hard work and determination fueled her growth at her host organization, where she was promoted from program associate to program coordinator in just six months! Kamaria’s commitment to continuing professional development has catapulted her success. This month, Kamaria will travel to YP4’s National Summit to share more about her internship experience and current job. In addition, Kamaria and 2006 fellow Gigi Traore plan to take advantage of the Summit’s Open Space workshops to lead a session on hip hop and activism.

This month, 2008 fellow Quiana McKenzie discusses her ambitions for her Blueprint for Social Justice and Future Majority’s Mike Connery spotlights YP4’s announcement of the 2008 class.

[ Read the news coverage ]

The League and MoveOn.org launch a Facebook primary

The media and most politicians still don't think young people care, and they don't think young people show up to vote. They don't think we matter. So our friends at The League of Young Voters PAC have teamed up with MoveOn.org Political Action to kick off a virtual online primary election to prove them wrong and show them how we flip our networks.

On their new Facebook application, you can “vote” for your favorite candidate and the issues you care about most. “Vote” by secret ballot or compare your vote to your friends’ and recruit people to boost your candidate. You'll be able to see poll results nationally and for your specific Facebook network.

The race is ON.

For more info on this virtual primary or with general questions about using Facebook, click here: http://theleague.com/primary-FAQ.

[ Facebook users, vote now ]

The BR!CK Awards
The BR!CK Awards are the premier national service award for young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders age 25 and under. This year, nine winners will be selected, each receiving a minimum of $10k in scholarships and community grants. One of those nine will be selected to win a total of $100k given directly to an organization of the winner's choice.

The application period (just three essays and two brief recommendation letters) closes Jan. 6, so hurry!

Choice USA YouTube contest
Choice USA wants to let the world know what Roe v. Wade means to you. You can watch their video and contribute to their video montage, which will focus on the significance of Roe v. Wade from the diverse perspectives of young people. Submissions are due Jan. 11.

Coro Fellows program
The deadline to apply for the Los Angeles-based Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs is Jan. 11.

The Cornerstone Awards
The Cornerstone Awards recognize young (40 and under) Jewish leadership in social change organizations nationwide. The Jewish Funds for Justice will present four $10,000 Cornerstone Awards to young Jews who exemplify strong Jewish leadership and values in the progressive nonprofit and organizing communities. Twenty-five percent of each $10,000 Cornerstone Award will go toward the winner's professional development; 75 percent will be granted to the winner's organization for general support.

Go to http://ga6.org/campaign/cornerstone_2008/ to learn more about the Cornerstone Awards and eligibility requirements and to apply. Applications are due Jan. 15.

The Congressional Hunger Center
With the Congressional Hunger Center’s Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship, you can gain policy experience in Washington, D.C., and work with organizations in poverty-stricken communities across the country. Includes a $12,500 living allowance, a $3,500 housing stipend (in D.C.) and a $3,500 end of service reward, plus health, travel, housing and relocation stipends. Applications due Jan. 17.

PolitiCorps Summer
PolitiCorps Summer, a program of the Oregon Bus Project, is a 10-week boot camp consisting of hands-on general campaign skills training, innovative public policy intensives, and real-world applications of leadership skills and campaign savvy. Fellows receive a $1,000 stipend plus housing in Portland throughout the program. The regular admission deadline is March 3; the rolling admission deadline is June 6.