Youth Venture United States Photo Gallery

Venture Team: Dream City

DreamCity is an arts organization based in the nation’s capital that focuses on harnessing the voices, ideas, and dreams of young adults in the Washington Metropolitan area. They utilize the arts to empower communities from within by instilling financial literacy and educational self-reliance among young adults who participate with DreamCity. In 2006, DreamCity performed The 70© during the Hip Hop Theater Festival. Over 4,500 people have seen them perform.

Merrimack Bio-Diesel Crew

“Saving the Globe—One French Fry at a Time” became the cry for turning vats of used vegetable oil into fuel to run a school bus! They built a processor to transform used vegetable oil into bio-diesel fuel then converted a small school bus to run on it. The bus will be used to promote the alternative energy source and provides an environmentally friendly mode of field-trip transportation for students.They are working on designing a solar panel that will power a larger fuel conversion processor.

E.X.P.R.E.S.S.I.O.N.S

The young people in Sunset Park, Brooklyn had no artistic outlets until E.X.P.R.E.S.S.I.O.N.S, was launched which teaches young children how to express themselves through art. They hold weekly after school classes at a local elementary school, where students learn photography, poetry basics and hear guest lectures from professionals in the field. It also teaches a class devoted to helping young people resolve and depict conflicts through photography.

SeniorConnect

Through SeniorConnect, teenage volunteers visit assisted living facilities with laptop computers and help residents set-up email accounts. They help residents compose, send and receive e-mails, while a bond forms between the young and old. The team works weekly with about 20 residents in 5 local assisted living facilities. In recognition of her efforts, the lead venturer received the 2005 Outstanding Youth Care Giver of the Year Award. It is now an official program of the American Red Cross.

Digital Divide

Christy founded Digital Divide in order to provide inner-city youth with opportunities to learn practical computer skills that will be valuable in the job market. It seeks to empower youth by establishing a firm foundation for their careers. Digital Divide is unique among technology programs because it combines the teaching of technological skills - from web design to print publishing - with role models provided by the volunteers who work with students outside of their technological training.

Team Revolution

Team Revolution holds after school programs on youth leadership, hip-hop, and community responsibility. All members of the team have dreams they are going after and they spend signifi cant time volunteering in their community. Team Revolution has continued to grow and today they have a Community Center in the heart of Brooklyn where 300 youth now visit each day.

Children's Bilingual Theatre

It facilitates communication and connection between young people by using the tools of theater. Each production is selected not only for the bilingual aspect but also to convey a positive message in a diverse setting. Children’s Bilingual Theater group is unique because it offers the community something new and is inclusive of the growing Hispanic population. It creates an opportunity for families who are Spanish speaking to get involved in a school event that has no language barrier.

Redemption Inc.

Redemption Inc. aims to boost self-esteem, alleviate economic and social inequality, and prevent deferment of dreams through educational, community service, and self-advocacy programs. Tiffany shared her thoughts with other likeminded students of color who helped to lay a solid foundation for Redemption Inc. and coined its slogan - “Reclaim, Rebuild, Re-direct”. Redemption organized back to school events such as “Get Your Mind Right” where school supplies were given to the students in preparatio