Teens Entering Existing Networking Systems Project (TEENS Project)
What is the goal or purpose of this GROUP? To enhance the professional capacity of youth and young adults, between the ages of 15-25, through our unique 3-month leadership, personal, and professional skills development training course. How many community members do we expect to engage/participate in our activities by the end of t
he year?
500-600 engaged residents. GROUP Goals
By the end of 2017, TEENS Project aims to engage 60 teen and young adult community residents in our leadership, personal, and professional skills development training course developed by TEENS Project partners and the founding organization S.Q.U.A.D. To achieve the goals of 100 Proof Youth 100 Proof Health Project a collaboration between TEENS Project, Minneapolis Health Department, Backyard Initiative, and the Cultural Wellness Center. In 2017 TEENS Project aims to utilize our members to support Community Health Action Teams action plans set in place by the Backyard Initiative Community Commission of Health as well as partnering organizations among the Community Resource Body Members. CHAT Strategies/Activities:
Together we will engage community residents through on-the-spot, interviews, and pop-up street events. We will also attend regular events offering community members opportunities to hear and share stories from around the neighborhood. Members will also create action plans focused on environmentalism, growing power, and entrepreneurship in the neighborhood. Work with our teams gathering stories of the community’s experiences within the Backyard Initiative. Engaging the residents of the Midtown Global Market, Hope Community, and high rises located in the Backyard on a consistent basis. Collaborate with Anchor Families, Growing in the Backyard, and Communities of Light in an ongoing effort to increase the Social Cohesion, Social Connectedness, Social Support, and Health Literacy of community residence by networking the currently existing workshops, pop-up street events, and know-your-neighbor door knocking activities. Targeting parks, schools, business owners, organization leaders, and political serving any neighborhood located in the Backyard community. CHAT Outcomes/Deliverable's
The individuals who complete our 3-month training will:
Collaborate with the Communications CHAT to help with the Alley Newspaper and writing articles. They will be able to create and write blogs about community stories. Collect data for Backyard Initiative using surveys/questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations. Youth will gain and grow valuable networking skills as well as build professional networks of their own. Youth Leaders who complete the training will go on to facilitate the next training course. This way youth will get a youth teaching youth experience. Altogether this will enhance and increase Social Cohesion, Social Connectedness, Social Support, and Health Literacy within and among the community.
