Resilient Youth Foundation

NEW WEBSITE

2008-08-12T01:35:00.001-07:00

Please visit:

www.resilientyouth.org

Thank you.

Welcome

2007-11-20T21:53:00.001-08:00

Branches

2007-11-20T21:25:00.000-08:00

The Resilient Youth Foundation coordinates and runs all operations from its main branch in Santa Monica; however, new programs are now being facilitated from local branches in the following locations:

MARIN COUNTY BRANCH

- Serving all school districts in Marin County [Bay Area/Northern California].
- Operations will include a version of the Rewards for Results program, tutoring, mentoring, community awareness, and other activities and programs yet to be announced.

Contact:

Catherine Marsh
Director - Marin County Branch
Literacy Assessment Coordinator - Tamalpais Union High School District
cmarsh@resilientyouth.org
(818) 359-3892

PALISADES HIGH SCHOOL BRANCH [Los Angeles Unified School District]

- Serving Palisades High School and all feeder schools.
- Will educate students about the importance of Advanced Placement classes, while attempting to increase enrollment from
under-represented populations; through the use of presentations, assemblies, and print-media.

Contact:

Dan Davidow
Director - Palisades High School Branch
ddavidow@resilientyouth.org

Eddie Lopez Scholarship

2007-08-26T01:21:00.000-07:00

To apply, visit the College Center at Santa Monica High School.
[Scholarship summary below picture]

Eddie Lopez was on the football and baseball teams at Santa Monica High School, and was one of the few minority students at SAMOHI enrolled in AP/Honor classes. Eddie, a Latino who socialized with peers from all walks of life, was going to be the first in his family to attend college, until in 2006, Eddie was tragically shot and killed by a gang member in a case of mistaken identity. To honor him and his legacy, the Resilient Youth Foundation will be giving a $1,000 college scholarship to one SAMOHI senior who exemplifies the dedication to achievement, and qualities, of Eddie Lopez.

For more information, contact:

eddielopez@resilientyouth.org

SMART Study Group

2007-07-23T01:29:00.000-07:00

The Santa Monica Academic Responsibility & Transformation [SMART] Study Group is a component of the Resilient Youth Foundation that is comprised of members of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) community. The SMART Study Group aims to achieve academic equality between all races, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds within SMMUSD schools.

Individual members of the SMART Study Group each contribute their own ideas and insight on how the district can make academic achievement proportional between students. The Chairs of the Study Group will then review each individual submission and discuss the aspects and potential effectiveness of each. After extensive dialogue, the SMART Study Group will publish a proposal, outlining a plan for how they recommend these problems of inequalities should be addressed & dealt with.

The SMART plan will propose and outline theoretical curriculum, administrative, and logistical changes within the district, and will advise the development of specific new programs.

The SMART Study Group's proposal will be distributed to the SMMUSD Board of Education, local politicians, city officials, and representatives, as well as other local school districts.

It is time to take responsibility. It is time to take action.

To join the SMART Study Group, or for more information, please contact:

smart@resilientyouth.org

Welcome

2007-06-26T17:12:00.001-07:00

Santa Monica Teen Film Festival

2007-06-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

Tracking to Nowhere was awarded "Best Documentary" & "Best Film of the Festival, 1st Place" at the 2007 Santa Monica Teen Film Festival.

A total of 45 films were submitted to the festival, 19 of which were screened at the Miles Playhouse on June 16th, and the Martin Luther King Auditorium on June 17th.

Tracking to Nowhere is a documentary that examines racial inequalities at Santa Monica High School with regards to education, interaction, and opportunities available. The film addresses such issues as the racial makeup of AP & Honors classes, “Tracking”, “White Flight”, the racial divisions in regards to socializing and congregating, & racial inequalities with regards to educational opportunities. (www.TrackingNowhere.com)

Tracking to Nowhere was Directed & Produced by Resilient Youth Foundation President & Founder Josh Miller. Matt Goalen, a Resilient Youth Foundation volunteer, filmed & edited the film.

Miller & Goalen received a total of $850 in gift certificates, and a meeting with Mike Upton, Senior Vice-President of 2929 Productions, as a part of the films honors.

For more information on the film, visit www.trackingnowhere.com

Photo Credit: Chris Ragazzo

2007 Princeton Prize

2007-05-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Princeton Prize Committee has selected RYF President Josh Miller as the 2007 recipient of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations.

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations is a Princeton University awards program that recognizes high school students for outstanding work in advancing the cause of race relations in their schools or communities (www.princeton.edu/PrincetonPrize).

The Princeton Prize Committee presented Josh Miller with the award on Saturday, May 12th, at an awards reception in the Bradley Room at Los Angeles City Hall.

Also at the ceremony,

Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom presented Miller with a commendation from the Santa Monica City Council.

Amy Cooper, Deputy Chief of Staff for LA City Council Member Jose Huizar, presented Miller with a Certificate of Congratulations on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, the 14th Council District, the Board of Trustees of Princeton University, and Council Member Jose Huizar.

Joumana Silyan-Saba, of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, presented Miller with a Certificate of Commendation on behalf of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission.

Volunteers & Contact Info

2007-05-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

The Resilient Youth Foundation is run by over 30 student volunteers.

To volunteer, contact:

volunteer@resilientyouth.org

Officers

President: Josh Miller

Vice-President: Matt Held

Director of Volunteers: Crystal Estrella

Community Liason: Daniel Gerena

Operations Officer: Claire Rush

Resources Officer: Andrew Rimer

Field Officer: Andrew Winthrop

Deputy Resources Officer: Lisa Cahn

Contact Info

E-mail: jmiller@resilientyouth.org
Phone: (310) 413-2678
Address: 2226 California Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Advocacy & Awareness Program

2007-04-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

Advocacy & Awareness Program:

Overview:

Through the use of various channels and means of communication, the Resilient Youth Foundation vigorously pushes for the advancement and improvement of race relations, and fights to abolish racial inequalities.

Examples of Advocacy & Awareness:

Tracking to Nowhere:

Produced by the Resilient Youth Foundation, Tracking to Nowhere is a documentary that examines racial inequalities at Santa Monica High School with regards to education, interaction, and opportunities available. The film addresses such issues as the racial makeup of AP & Honors classes, “Tracking”, “White Flight”, the racial divisions in regards to socializing and congregating, & racial inequalities with regards to educational opportunities. (www.TrackingNowhere.com)

RYF Presents: Dr. Roberts of the Little Rock Nine:

Provided the funding for Dr. Terrence Roberts, of the Little Rock Nine, to come and speak to 800 students at Santa Monica High School. Dr. Roberts spoke about his experiences as a member of the Little Rock Nine, and preached racial tolerance & acceptance to a diverse student population marred with past events of racial tension & violence.

Please view the links in the "Site Menu" to learn more about all of the Resilient Youth Foundation's events and projects.

For more information, contact:

advocacy@resilientyouth.org

Rewards for Results Program

2007-04-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

The Rewards for Results Program:

Overview:

The Resilient Youth Foundation's (RYF) Rewards for Results Program honors and rewards students from low income neighborhoods, who achieve and excel in school, and who show resilience in the face of adversity. The reward programs goal is to motivate struggling youth to achieve their potential, and to recognize those students who have succeeded in difficult circumstances. RYF distributes and identifies students through Guidance Counselors from targeted schools. Counselors then identify students, set individual goals for them, and then track their progress. If their goals are reached, RYF rewards them for their hard work. This program develops self-confidence, and good work habits in students, and teaches them that with drive and persistence, they can excel in school, and in life.

Our Philosophy:

We believe that our investment in these rewards, and these students, give much more than a materialistic gift. Many of the targeted students have no one in their family that has ever gone to college, and they have this notion that they are academically dumb, and inferior. Our reward system is meant to motivate, and encourage, struggling students to set higher goals for themselves, and persevere to achieve them. There experiences will instill them with good work habits, self-confidence, and self-worth, priceless traits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. These students are not inferior, and can excel, and we strongly believe we are helping to make that truth, a reality.

Examples of Rewards for Results Program Events:

- Galaxy Night (200 students)
- Pier Night (500 students)

Please view the links in the "Site Menu" to learn more about all of the Resilient Youth Foundation's events and projects.

For more information, contact:

rewards@resilientyouth.org

Resilient Youth Presents: Dr. Terrence Roberts of the Little Rock Nine

2007-04-26T21:29:00.001-07:00

The Resilient Youth Foundation provided funding for Dr. Terrence Roberts, a member of the Little Rock Nine, to speak to students at Santa Monica High School.

On April 26th, 2007, Dr. Roberts spoke to 800 students in Barnum Hall, where they learned about his experiences as a member of the Little Rock Nine, and were given and opportunity to ask him questions.

Santa Monica High School enrolls 3,600 students & is incredibly diverse, both racially and economically, and racial minorities make up 50% of the schools population. Two years ago the schools campus was put on a lockdown after racial riots and fights broke out between African American & Latino Students, and last year Eddie Lopez, a Latino honors student and baseball player, was killed in a drive-by shooting.

Dr. Roberts used his presentation to encourage racial acceptance & peace, and at a school who's population is almost a direct representation of Los Angeles County [racially & economically], Dr. Roberts message of tolerance & acceptance was easily applicable to daily events and interactions on campus.

The Resilient Youth Foundation is proud to have provided the funding for this event, as we hope Dr. Roberts' words & experiences will inspire change & improvements to race relations within the Santa Monica High School Community.

The event was organized by the I-House Advisory Council, and the Civil Rights Club.

Events

2006-08-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

Galaxy Night 2006

In May 2006, The Resilient Youth Foundation treated 200 students and their families to a Los Angeles Galaxy game at the Home Depot Center in Carson. These students were hand selected by their school counselors and administrators to attend. The students were from the following schools:
- Eastman Elementary School (East Los Angeles, CA)
- Nightingale Middle School (East Los Angeles, CA)
- Park Ave. Elementary School (Cudahy, CA)

• All of the schools listed above are ranked in the bottom 10% in the state in test scores.
• All the schools had 90-100% of their students participating in free or reduced lunch programs.

Pier Night 2007

On June 7th, 2007, The Resilient Youth Foundation (www.ResilientYouth.org) sponsored "Pier Night 2007" at Pacific Park, on the Santa Monica Pier. At the event, 527 deserving students from schools all across Los Angeles enjoyed a night of free rides, music, food, and fun. These students were from many schools, from all parts of greater Los Angeles, including MacArthur Park, East Los Angeles, Lennox, & Cudahy. Students attending had accomplished a specific academic, or civic goal, set forth by a teacher, counselor, or administrator from their schools.

The Resilient Youth Foundation raised over $10,000.00 to make this event possible.

Please help us make sure this is not the last event put on by the Resilient Youth Foundation, and make a tax-deductible donation to our organization.

To make a contribution, or for more information, please contact:

Josh Miller
President/Founder – The Resilient Youth Foundation
jmiller@ResilientYouth.org
(310) 413-2678

Checks Payable to: Resilient Youth Foundation

About Us

2006-02-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

Who We Are:

The Resilient Youth Foundation (RYF) is a nonprofit, tax-deductible organization created and run entirely by High School students. We are comprised of over 30 student volunteers, and to date, have raised over $21,000.00.

Components of the Resilient Youth Foundation:

• Rewards for Results Program
- Galaxy Night
- Pier Night

• Advocacy & Awareness Program
- Tracking to Nowhere [Documentary]
- RYF Presents: Dr. Roberts of the Little Rock Nine

Our Mission:

- Help ensure that all students, from all backgrounds, receive an equal education, and an equal opportunity to succeed in life.

- Help to create nurturing, productive, and tolerant learning environments & communities.

- Help motivate and acknowledge the youth of the next generation.

- Help students reach their potential.

Please view the links in the "Site Menu" to learn more about all of the Resilient Youth Foundation's events and projects.