What is YouthSpeak
The YouthSpeak Mission Statement states:
"YouthSpeak is an organization that works to defend the rights of youth. We also work to educate others and act as a clearinghouse for youth rights. We also work on the recognition of youth civil rights. YouthSpeak encourages anyone interested in children and youth rights to join us, submit information or ask questions about youth rights and inform others about youth rights.
But what does that mean?
It means that YouthSpeak is working for you--youth!. YouthSpeak is a youth-run, youth-led, youth-empowerment organization that works to enfranchise and empower young people.
YouthSpeak was founded in March, 1997, by then-15 year old High School student Avi Hein. Avi founded YouthSpeak because he felt that young people are a disenfranchised and discriminated against minority. He created YouthSpeak upon realizing that young people have few rights in contemporary American society and something must be done about that. YouthSpeak was created because a High School student wanted to vote! It was created because a young person decided that it was time for some major change in the way the world works!
YouthSpeak's primary focus issue is youth enfranchisement: that is youth political power! We work to eliminate the voting age, and support a constitutional amendment that would lower it. We also work for other issues, the elimination of curfew laws, youth free speech, and other youth power issues!
YouthSpeak works to focus, organize, and educate others about the rights of youth, perhaps creating increased awareness about the issue of the rights of young people.
Comments? Questions? E-mail YouthSpeak at youthspeak@oblivion.net.