Our News
Youth Day 2011!
Friday, August 26th 2011
Riverfront Park, Gondola Meadows
12p.m.-6p.m.
Youth Day is for youth ages 13-24 and their families and showcases the wealth of activities, resources, organizations, businesses, and volunteer opportunities available to them in the greater Spokane area. Youth Day is organized by youth for youth and features FREE activities, live music, give-aways, a resource fair, and the signature "Where's Waldo?" scavenger hunt with tons of great prizes. The event is not for profit and sponsored by Youth 'N Action, a program of Passages Family Support with funding support from the Washington Department of Health. Help us spread the word! There are many ways to become involved. For more information e-mail Roelrich@PassagesFS.org or call (509)954-7373. This year we hope to reach over 3,000 area youth.
Sponsorship Opportunities Booth Registration Form
Youth Day Awards
In addition, this year’s event will feature the first annual “Spokane Youth Day Awards.” Nominations are being accepted and winners will be selected via vote by Youth ‘N Action members. Nominations should be e-mailed to YouthinCommunity@yahoo.com by July 15th and include the full name of the nominee and their contact information, the name of the nominator, and 1-4 paragraphs on why they should receive the award.
Categories:
- Youth Leader Award: A youth, age 13-21, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and community involvement.
- Youth Organization Award: An outstanding organization that has demonstrated significant commitment to the health and wellness of Spokane area youth.
- Adult Youth Mentor Award: An adult who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the health and wellness of area youth.
- Youth Volunteer Award: A youth, age 13-21, who has volunteered a significant amount of time with an agency and shown dedication to the Spokane community.
Winners will be recognized during Spokane’s Youth Day on Friday, August 26th and will receive a plaque and special gift.
Friday, August 27th, 2010
Spokane Youth Day!
Join over 5,000 youth ages 14-24 in Riverfront Park for Spokane ’s first annual, “Youth Day!” from 11a.m.-6p.m. on Friday, August 27th. Enjoy free games, activities, music, and more. Learn about the many great resources Spokane organizations and businesses offer youth. Finally, form a team and participate in the “Where’s Baldo?” scavenger hunt to earn amazing prizes. The event is provided free of charge, however, there’s a $5/person ($10 for a team of two) registration fee to participate in the scavenger hunt. Individuals are welcome to participate in a team of 2 or by themselves. The event is sponsored by Youth ‘N Action and Passages Family Support, programs of Volunteers of America with funding from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services. Contact Ryan at Roelrich@VOASpokane.org to register or call (509)954-7373.
May 28, 2010
YNA Celebrates Children's Mental Health Awareness Month
In May Youth 'N Action members in Spokane, WA celebrated Mental Health Awareness month through a community wide event
at Riverfront Park. YNA members hosted a children's carnival featuring over a dozen activities and games,
participated in an awareness walk, and several Youth 'N Action members shared their personal stories with a
crowd of approximately 50 participants. YNA partnered with the event's lead organizer Passage's Family Support,
NAMI, and SAFE Washington in hosting the 2nd annual event.
May 22, 2010
YNA Drama Team - Real Youth in Motion
Western Washington: YNA members presented Challenges to Community Integration for Youth in Transition; at
the Co-occuring disorders conference in Yakima September 2008, from that presentation they met Lori Yates, a theatrical therapist who donated 10 weeks
of service to youth 'n action to develop a production of their own. From that formed a long term partnership
that's been going strong for almost a year. YNA members are working hard to produce their first production
"Life is not a game: 20 plays in 40 minutes". This is a theater exploration of truth. Experience life through
the eyes of a transition age youth (16-25), currently one of the most under served and under supported populations
in the country. As well as the most mis understand. Actors tackle tough issues like family, peers,
mental illness, education, employment, drugs and alcohol and much more. The drama is followed up with a
panel presentation with actors and directors to discuss issues portrayed or anything else that may come up. Our
hope is to reduce stigma, provide hope, share experiences, create awareness and build more supports for youth
in transition all over the State of Washington.
May 06, 2010
Family Event in Riverfront Park,
North Bank Shelter,
Saturday, May 8th noon-4p.m.
On Saturday, May 8th the community is invited to attend "Lifting the Veil," an event to honor Children's Mental
Health Awarness week. The event is sponsored by Passage's Family Support, Youth 'N Action, NAMI, and SAFE
Washington, and will feature a children's carnival, live music, a free lunch, an awareness walk, and a
proclamation by Spokane Mayor, Mary Verner. Youth 'N Action members will sponsor the carnival and will be
responsible for operating games and other kid's activities.
May 05, 2010
Youth 'N Action Members "Go Green" For Bloomsday
Eastern Washington Youth 'N Action members made the front page of the Spokesman Review newspaper when they sported green face paint, clothes, hats, necklaces, wrist bands, and other green items to participate in Spokane's annual 12K run. The youth did so to raise awareness around mental health as centuries ago green paint was thrown on those considered mentally ill to warn others. Fifteen YNA membes reclaimed the color in a more positive manner to remind the 52,000+ individuals running Bloomsday not to stigmatize those with mental health challenges. The youth also wore mental health awareness ribbons and handed out green write bands bearing the phrase "Empower!".
April 24, 2010
Art for Understanding
Eastern Washington Youth 'N Action members spent April working on a painting to represent "youth voice" which will
be displayed publicly at a Spokane theater. Over a dozen YNA members took turns adding their artistic talents to
the art piece. The work will be displayed as part of a disabilities awareness day event held at the theater on
Saturday, May 2nd. The artwork will then move to its permanent location at the Youth 'N Action club house.
March 14, 2010
YNA Tackles Stigma Through Film Project
Recently Eastern Washington Youth 'N Action members put on make up, were trained in the art of acting, and learned the basics of the film industry to star in a regional film project titled, "I am more than my diagnosis." In partnership with Passages Family Support and with the generous support of Thinking Cap & Hamilton Studios, Youth 'N Action(YNA) members tackled stigma surrounding mental illness through what will be a statewide televised public service announcement (PSA). The PSA will also air in northern Idaho and Oregon, and western Montana. Youth members have participated in writing the script and have starred in the film which will air on Comcast Channels in late May and June as well as be published online through a variety of mental health websites and on the popular YouTube site. The PSA will be featured on the Youth 'N Action website upon completion, so check back to check it out!
March 13, 2010
Youth 'N Action Spokane Finds a Home!
Youth 'N Action Spokane (YNA) has found a home at 928 W. Spofford (corner of N. Monroe & Spofford) in north Spokane.
The space will house future YNA meetings, events, and activities and provides a comfortable atmosphere designed and
decorated by youth for youth. It features a big screen television, comfortable couches and lounge chairs, a beverage
and snack fridge, a resource center, games, music, and more. It's also right on a bus route, has plenty of free
parking, and is within walking distance of downtown Spokane. The space was furnished through donations from the
community.
This space is a dream come true," said YNA Co-Director, Ryan Oelrich. "It will provide a safe and accepting
environment where youth can plan future advocacy events, learn from one another, and above all feel comfortable
just being themselves."
To conserve already scarce resources, YNA shares the space with another local non profit program that uses the space at times when YNA does not. For more information on upcoming YNA events or to tour the awesome space, contact Youth 'N Action Spokane.