Participants are being educated on leadership skills.

The VYSION (Vibrant Youth Serving in Our Neighborhoods) has two components: teen leadership institute and community service.

The Leadership Institute trains 25-30 youths using the Prudential Youth Leadership Institute curriculum over the course of 3 days.

We plan to offer the next Institute in the spring of 2005!

 

The VYSION program participating in the tower exercise to learn skills in resource management and cooperation

Goals of the VYSION program are to develop various projects that will benefit the community while supporting the development of participants' leadership, planning, implementation, and academic skills.

Additional anticipated outcomes include heightened self-esteem of participants, community outreach and advocacy skills, and greater motivation to continue to volunteer in the community.

The VYSION program doing the trust walk activity.

This past year the teens have worked on a mercury awareness campaign. Mercury found in lightbulbs, thermometers, and sold in Latino botanicas is a serious health threat.

Currently, teens are working on a clean water project called CLEAR. This program seeks to raise awareness about our river system as a valuable resource and drinking supply. CLEAR also will engage in a storm drain stenciling project to alert the community about the dangers of dumping hazardous substances, such as motor oil and lawn chemicals down the drains.