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Review for Youth Together Inc, Oakland, CA, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

In my experience as a board member for Youth Together, I have seen the organization execute on long-term strategic initiatives related to creating peace, empowering students, and fostering leadership within East Bay schools, while also successfully joining immediate calls to action to reshape our educational system in CA. An example of this short-term collaboration is shown by YT's participation (along with many other education and communtiy groups) in recently organizing marches on the State Capital related to the cutting of education budgets. Given the wide scope of problems in CA schools and the challenges facing East Bay schools especially (some of the most marginalized students in CA) YT has a clear understanding that it is important to focus on long-term stratgeic goals, while also addressing immediate issues through collaboration with other community groups...showing students the power of solidarity across lines of race, religion, or social class. As an organization, YT does not miss the Trees for the Forest. It is highly effective in working across groups to create positive change in CA schools, focusing on both short and long-term changes.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Survey results showing that the overwhelming majority of students involved with Youth Together feel it has had a positive impact on thier lives.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Keep things essentially the same, but communicate our purpose to the community more actively. As such, poeple in the community who are unaware of Youth Together's work, maight be willing to provide the organization with support or resources.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

Working with people who are decidated to educational justice. My belief is that a good education is the key to success.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

Fun, hard-working, and productive members of the communities which they serve.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Create significant positive change in the lives of marginalized youth and students by providing services and resources that the public school system and it's current curriculum cannot provide.

Ways to make it better...

n/a

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

The ability to serve a populatiion which is under further threat due to cuts in state educational budgets.

One thing I'd also say is that...

Youth Together's fiscal sponsorship and support of the soon-to-be-opened RYSE Center in Richmond, CA is a tremendous opportunity for change in that community! It's a model that could possibly be extended to other similar communities in CA.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2008

Role:  Board Member & I provided finance support for the organization via particiation on the Board.