Diane's Message to Congress about the Youth Coordination Act

"Dear Senator Richard Durbin,

I am the Founder/President of Kids Off The Block (KOB) in the Roseland Community. I founded KOB to give youth positive alternatives to the streets. I was tired of seeing our young people killed because of violence, dropping out of school at alarming rates, and not having the resources to persue their dreams. Since the closing of our local YMCA, quality youth programs are either out of the area or parents cannot afford the services. Our programs need this bill passed because youth, particularly at-risk youth and their families, need effective, coordinated, and meaningful services. Youth policies and programs are found in almost every federal department, often working with little coordination or collaboration with others.

I am writing to ask you to support a $1 million appropriation for the Federal Youth Coordination Act. The Federal Youth Coordination Act creates the Federal Youth Development Council, and requires only a modest $1 million appropriation to implement one of the only pieces of legislation ever passed that will potentially impact millions of youth in the United States. The Federal Youth Development Council would bring together those Department and Agency members along with members from the private and youth-serving non-profit sectors, and youth themselves, to increase communication among federal agencies; develop a comprehensive plan to more strategically implement federal youth policy; recommend objectives and goals for federal youth programs; facilitate collaboration on interagency demonstration projects; and provide technical assistance to state-funded youth coordinating councils. Help us finish the job left by the 109th Congress -- please provide $1 million for the Federal Youth Coordination Act!"

--Diane Latiker

Tell Congress to help people like Diane: http://capwiz.com/mobilize/issues/alert/?alertid=9784226