WASHINGTON, July 7 Youth-PROMISE-Act
NATION'S YOUTH MEET WITH LAWMAKERS TO URGE PASSAGE OF YOUTH PROMISE ACT
STUDENT DELEGATES HOPE TO MEET WITH A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS INCLUDING SENATORS OBAMA, CLINTON, AND CHAMBLISS
WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At least 70 high school students from at-risk communities around the United States will converge on Washington, D.C. from July 12th -15th to meet with members of Congress as part of World Vision's Youth Empowerment Project.
One of the issues teens will advocate for is passage of the Youth PROMISE Act*. The bill would provide resources to state and local governments to help prevent juvenile crime, but it remains stalled in Congress while more and more communities across the country continue to face the threat of gang violence every day. According to a 2007 study from the Justice Policy Institute, spending just one dollar on evidence-based prevention programs can yield up to fifteen dollars in benefits to society.
"Gang violence is a symptom of despair, frustration and a lack of opportunities," said Michael Mata, World Vision's youth violence expert. "We cannot simply arrest away the problem. We must create an environment that believes in youth and offers options and hope for them. Only then can we stem the tide of violence."
The youth hope to meet with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Congressman Robert Scott (D-VA), the sponsor of the Youth PROMISE Act. Last year during the summit, youth met with Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY).
The summit is the culmination of the 20-week Youth Empowerment Project where the students learned how to use the power of politics in their communities to become agents of change. Teens from New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Picayune, Seattle, Tacoma, rural Georgia and West Virginia will attend the three-day summit. The delegates were selected from hundreds of applicants around the country. Delegates will advocate on issues concerning youth violence and prevention, education, and strengthening the voice of youth in their communities.
Many of the YEP leaders have risen up from difficult circumstances and face a daily struggle at home, at school and on the streets to stay safe and succeed. Advocacy gives teens the practical experience of engaging the structures and systems that have a direct impact on their young lives.
*H.R. 3846 - The Youth Prison Reduction Through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education (PROMISE) Act will work in communities facing the greatest youth violence challenges to form a local council comprised of representatives from law enforcement, court services, schools, social services, health providers, and community- and faith-based organizations. The council will develop a comprehensive plan for implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies aimed at young people who are at-risk of becoming involved in gangs. (Source: www.house.gov/scott)
World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves the world's poor regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.
SOURCE World Vision U.S.
