Youth Leadership Group
The YLG is composed of young adults who work together to help the community and themselves. The mission of YLG is to teach the youth how to work as a team; how to become successful adults who see the contribution to the community as an important factor in life; and to learn the importance of education for their future.
Who can form part of the YLG?
The members of the YLG have to be in grades 8th -12th and/or be 13-18 years of age. These students must also be enrolled in middle or high school. Students from the 7th grade may be allowed upon recommendation. The area of residency has to be Pasadena, Altadena, or any of the surrounding cities.
These students meet twice monthly for:
- College preparatory training
- Leadership development
- Enrichment activities
Students Working Against Poverty (SWAP)-Now Accepting Community Donations
Students Working Against Poverty (SWAP) is a service project initiated by NATHA’s teen Youth Leadership Group last fall. The youth were inspired by the Global Call to Action conference, which addressed social issues of global concern. The youth got the opportunity to meet Nobel Prize Laureates, such as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The group meets biweekly to study the causes of, and find solutions to, extreme poverty in Pasadena. Currently, the youth are engaged in a campaign to collect 1,000 cans of food so that they may make a donation to those in need. Community members are welcome to visit our resource center and drop off nonperishable foods.
Drug-Free Communities Work: Youth Advocating Against Alcohol and Drugs
Through the Drug-Free Communities grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, our youth have had the opportunity to receive training in the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. They are also taking active leadership in training other youth in their schools and in their community of such dangers. Currently, they are working on various Public Service Announcements that teach community members the facts about drug and alcohol abuse. Our teens are utilizing their artistic and technological skills, along with their passion for community change, to improve the Lincoln Village Community. Please see our homepage for our news feature detailing their most recent activities.
Other activities include:
- DigiCrew video production instruction – James Tucker Video Production provides DigiCrew with production expertise and guidance. KPAS, Pasadena's cable TV channel airs a monthly 30-minute news segment on community and youth development issues created by DigiCrew.
- Junior Athletic Marathon Runners (JAMRs)
- Mentoring COOL participants
- Mustangs on the Move – This coalition of community-based organizations , community activists, students, and both public and private institutions provide increased opportunity for students at John Muir High School. Mustangs on the Move sponsors NATHA's popular "What's Cooking?" class at the high school.
- Day One provides alcohol, tobacco and drug use prevention services.