November 23, 2009
Change We Can Believe In: Youth!
Youth are not going to accept what is handed to them - and why should they?
By Esmeralda Martin
Obama campaigned with it. Over half of voters believed in it. And yet so many people fear it. Change- it sounds so innovative, inspiring and scary all at once. So why are people so afraid? Human nature suggests that we like what we know and for that reason we sometimes find ourselves in situations where we are comfortable - but no longer challenged. One population that will never be content with the conditions handed to them: YOUTH!
I witnessed this unrest firsthand on a trip to Santa Ana where CANFIT helped to facilitate a recent Youth Summit on November 21, 2009. At the summit, forty young people from Santa Ana came together to share the issues in their community that affected their health. Violence, poor education, litter and limited opportunities for economic development were all community conditions that youth wanted to transform. Not only do they want to transform the situation in Santa Ana - they are taking the appropriate steps to make changes. Latino Health Access’ brilliant Youth in Action team demonstrates leadership in their community by promoting good health. The youth recently used their winning MO Project video as an advocacy tool when presenting their desire for a skate park to District Manager Scott Kutner. Youth are not going to accept the circumstances handed to them-and why should they?
Many people may fear change but youth know that it is essential to our progress. CANFIT is asking youth to tell us what they are doing, or want to be doing to “own their health”. Youth can submit videos spotlighting their work to MO Project 2. Register Today @ http://www.moproject.com!
1 reader comment on Change We Can Believe In: Youth!.
Thanks for your post Esmeralda. I’m sending out info on the MOProject to education and health folks in the district.
~Peace.