Please join MCPS, community organizations, and faith-based institutions for a meeting on Sunday, March 4th at 3:00 pm, at MCEA (12 Taft Court, Rockville), on working with Communities United Against Hate – Montgomery County to create the CUAH Youth Engagement and Leadership Project (YELP).  We recognize that our schools are critical points of entry for combating hate, bigotry and discrimination, closing the achievement gap, promoting inclusiveness, and building cultures of dignity.  Student-led peer advocacy, support and education are important avenues through which we can address these challenges and effectively reach students and communities in need.  CUAH YELP will identify and provide financial, mentoring, and community support for students who have developed or are developing social justice projects designed to combat hate, bigotry, and discrimination, build cultures of dignity, and promote inclusiveness and equal opportunity in our schools and communities.  Here are our primary goals:

• Support students who are implementing or expanding effective projects that address hate and bigotry, and promote inclusiveness and equal opportunities in their schools and communities;
• Partner with underfunded organizations such as MSP, Study Circles, and Rainbow Youth Alliance to create student forums that bring out concerns and ideas for projects;
• Provide grants/fellowships of $250 – $750 to kickstart promising student-led projects or expand existing ones;
• Assign adults and experienced student organizers to serve as mentors to students who are developing or expanding impactful projects;
• Organize an annual social change conference that:
  • Provides student leaders with opportunities to showcase their projects and recruit volunteers or other community support;
  • Recognizes students leading particularly effective projects with awards and opportunities to present their projects to a large audience;
  • Includes training sessions on organizing and leadership skills; and
  • Features an inspiring keynote speaker