About Youth 'N Action!
Mission Statement: Youth 'N Action exists to empower at-risk youth as advocates for their education, treatment, mental wellness, and overall health and happiness.
History
In 1999, under a system of care grant, Health ‘N Action was started in Seattle, Washington with the aid of Stephanie Lane and Dr. Charles Huffine to speak to the issues of youth and health in the systems of care both locally and nationally.In 2005 a first statewide meeting was convened. It was attended by youth from nine Washington State counties. As a group, they decided to formally adopt the name "Youth 'N Action" for the statewide youth advocacy program.
Those concepts were then adopted and expanded upon when it was brought to Spokane. Spokane’s Youth ‘N Action was started in 2006 by founder and then Director, Ryan Oelrich, for the purpose of empowering at risk youth as leaders and advocates.
In 2007, Spokane’s Youth ‘N Action organized and hosted a city-wide Collaboration Celebration Youth Summit attended by eighty-seven youth from nine different schools and nine different youth organizations. During this summit youth discussed ways to work together, strengthen coordination between high schools, and collaborate on joint projects.
The Youth ‘N Action Youth Center was then opened in 2008 and moved to its current facility, The Loft, in 2010. The Youth Center includes a health and wellness office featuring information on community resources, a comfortable living-room style meeting room with couches, a photo wall with pictures of past events and showcasing the group’s history, great snacks, and a media center.
Spokane’s Youth ‘N Action won the Chase Youth Commission’s “Courage Award” in 2008 and was recognized by the mayor, several senators, the governor, and others for its dedication to community service, leadership, and advocacy. Also in 2008, Spokane Youth ‘N Action member, Brenden Smith, received the Meghan Marie Doggett Award for his outstanding service to the community through his work with YNA.
In 2008 Spokane Youth ‘N Action, in partnership with the Washington Institute for Mental Health Research & Training, conducted the “Stigma Reduction Project.” Youth members went through various trainings to prepare them as advocates and presenters to speak to teachers, professionals, and their peers about living with a mental health diagnosis for the purpose of reducing stigma around mental illness. Over the course of the year, youth members spoke to hundreds of individuals in dozens of schools, agencies, and organizations across Washington State.
In 2009 Spokane Youth ‘N Action members met with the Governor and delivered a letter vocalizing their hopes and dreams for all youth in Washington State. Also in 2009, Spokane Youth ‘N Action members created a televised public service announcement which aired across Washington, northern Oregon, northern Idaho, and western Montana.
Youth ‘N Action continues to serve youth in Spokane and across Eastern Washington. For information on the activities in Western Washington and the greater Seattle area contact our sister organization, Western Washington Youth ‘N Action.
Who Are At-risk Youth?
There are a lot of websites out there that talk about "at-risk youth", but there is no real definition that fits this term (in our opinion). We have seen people refer to inner city kids that live in poor neighborhoods as at-risk youth, but are they really more at-risk than any other? Drugs, alcohol, and youth violence are prominent in almost every area of the United States.
Here's our definition of an at risk youth (this is our opinion): We believe any child that grows up in this world is "at-risk" in some way, however, we focus more heavily on youth effected by mental health issues, violence, disability, substance abuse, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, and youth involved in juvenile justice. At risk youth may identify as any gender and any race. Each "group" has a different area where they are more at-risk, but they are all youth at-risk.
Thank You To...
Spokane Youth ‘N Action wishes to thank the following individuals and organizations for their outstanding support since our start in 2006:
Angela French
Becky Bates
Camille Paris
Casey Jackson
Dr. Charles Huffine
Danielle Hughes
WA Department of Behavioral & Health Services
Judy Gosne
Lewis & Clark Highschool
Passages Family Support
Richard Broadsword
Ryan Oelrich
Sandy Williams
Sherri Hopkins
Stacey Selcho
Stephanie Lane
Washington Institute of Mental Health Research & Training