www.spiritofyouth.org
We all know youth in our communities that are engaged in community service projects, helping peers and neighbors, and making other tangible contributions to our schools and communities through general civic engagement. Most of the time, however, knowledge of these positive efforts is confined to small groups and goes unnoticed by the greater community.
Spirit of Youth, an Alaska ICE partner since 2003, is dedicated to creating, promoting and recognizing youth involvement in communities across Alaska. When young people are actively engaged in challenging, enriching activities they are less likely to be involved in risk behaviors, and when adults recognize their positive contributions, it creates a healthier environment for their positive development.
The Spirit of Youth organization and media campaign is responsible for helping spread the word of teens’ good works and increasing the recognition these youth receive.
• Spirit of Youth received 163 nominations from 47 different communities in 2010.
• Spirit of Youth Award recipients receive a $500 scholarship
• Currently, 25 radio stations and their translators are reaching at least 60 Alaskan communities which air Spirit of Youth stories and public service announcements.
• Spirit of Youth received the 2010 Alaska Community Service Award for Health from the Alaska Public Health Association for significantly improving the health of Alaskans.
Spirit of Youth’s annual awards dinner honoring 22 teens and youth groups was held in March. There were over 300 in attendance to support the outstanding young people. US Senators Begich and Murkowski both attended the awards dinner as well as a number of additional elected officials. The teen advisory council led the entire event and presented an overview of each of the winners. Seven award recipients were also presented with the Presidential Service Award for completing over 100 hours of volunteer service. Nominate a teen for an award.
One recipient had this to say about their experience at the award banquet:
“It was a very positive atmosphere that made me, the other award recipients, and I believe the volunteers, feel good about themselves. I also have to say that you did a very good job of choosing award recipients, it was a fun and driven group of youth. This is a great program, you guys should be proud of the job you did. I think that it was very motivational for many of the recipients. Thanks!!”
In a recent anonymous online survey of Spirit of Youth awardees:
• 72% felt being recognized gained them the respect of their community.
• 69% were more motivated to achieve their goals after being recognized.
• 42% indicated that being recognized increased their self-confidence.
• 56% said it encouraged them to make healthy choices in life
AASB/Alaska ICE also partners with Spirit of Youth to recognize Youth Friendly Businesses that respect youth customers, hire and prepare youth for future careers, support school success, and support youth community activities. The Teen Action Council for Spirit of Youth reviews all applications to determine which businesses meet the criteria.
Nominate a youth friendly business for an award.
Spirit of Youth’s positive recognition and media campaign was recognized by the Search Institute in a recent article as an effective way to promote the Developmental Assets. The article is titled “Strategies You Can Use: Get Local Media to Support Your Initiative”.
Youth Leadership Connection - an e-newsletter for teens from the Spirit of Youth
Spirit of Youth Radio Stories - Spirit of Youth conducts a positive media campaign. Stories are based on nominations form the public and are shared with the media around Alaska. Radio stories are developed that are broadcast on Alaska Public Radio. This campaign addresses negative stereotypes of teens and improves adults’ awareness of how teens contribute to their communities.