Be The Change Youth Convergence 2011

Be The Change 2011 is this upcoming weekend! July 29-31 at the Horizons School.
Please join us in helping to empower the next generation of community youth activists and leaders!

How can you get involved?
If you're 13-24 years old, register here and take part in the awesome skill-building and action packed weekend!

Click the image below to view a schedule for the weekend.

Any age and want to volunteer or contribute in any way?
Check out our volunteer needs page and sign up! Then, join us this Wednesday @ 9pm for our final planning meeting!

A Non-Violent Tune, In Three Languages

As part of our Be The Change Curriculum, Several Horizons School students decided to write this little jingle in response to not only the multiple wars/occupations our country is currently waging, but the trickle down effect these systems of violence and oppression have on our communities. When governments model violence as a means to solve conflict, extract natural resources, and force their will upon others, what's the cost to our communities?

I think it's really cool that the group that put the song together decided to do it in three different languages. Here's a few words from the writers of the song:

Zack: Violence seems to be on important issue not only in our country,but all around the world.

This cheery little tune sends a message of non-violence to all who hear it.

Sami: از جنگ چیزی حاصل نمی شود. جنگ را رها کن و بسوی صلح قدمبزن.

War is not the thing. Let go of the war and forward for peace.

Ahmed: हम दोस्त हो सकता है क्योंकि दोस्ती है दुनिया बनाता चाहिए.
We should be friends because friendship is what makes the world.

Students Sound Off to Decrease Fossil Fuel Reliance

Here's the second youth produced video that came out of our Be The Change Curriculum at the Horizons School. This crew of students call themselves the LFFR, of Lower Fossil Fuel Reliance.

We actually spent a few hours with then today to support their effort to make 1000 origami pinwheels to send to President Obama. In many Asian cultures(about half of the LFFR crew is first generation Asian immigrants) it is believed that if you make 1000 origami paper cranes then you will receive one wish.

When the LFFR crew completes their quest to create 1000 paper pinwheels(they got up to 405 today) they plan to hold a press conference at the Horizons school and send the pinwheels to the white house with one simple with; lower fossil fuel reliance.

Horizons Students Share their Campaign!

As the year approaches it's end and schools across the country are preparing for their winter breaks, Horizons high school students have been preparing for it's annual, "More Than Just a Word" performance. The students take time from their normal curriculum to put together multiple short skits and performances. Every student participated in skits about a gay high school couple, a twisted sleeping beauty story, and a transexual story. There was break dancing and hip hop singers.

Opening up "More Than Just a Word" was one of the groups from our "Be the Change" Curriculum. This group presented to the audience the 1000 pinwheels they planned to send to the President. The students are going to make a wish on their 1000 pinwheels for cleaner energy resources. We are glad that the kids were able to share their pinwheels with the audience and are so proud of of their hard work! A special thanks to Erin Glynn, from the Sierra Club, for providing the kids t-shirts and moral support.

Josie Figueroa
American Friends Service Committee

Another Atlanta Is Possible?

During our 8th week in our ongoing Be The Change curriculum at Horizons school students began our two hour session by reporting back on all the progress they had made in the last week. They had fundraisers planned(big ups Monica!), graphics designed, music written, facebooks groups started, and more! We were impressed to say the least.

After report backs we again split up into working groups and spent the rest of our time learning how to wheat-paste, create stencils, spray paint, structure a song, build strategy, create and edit video footage, plan fundraisers, and create digital photos.

We invited all the students to come out to Student Career Alternative Programs, "Our Dreams Will Not Be Recruited" concert planned for Sunday(11/21). Student seemed excited about the concert, some even planned to carpool.


Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Atlanta, Prepare Yourself!!

Our pilot program, "Be The Change Curriculum" just keeps getting more and more interesting. This week we had the pleasure of pairing young Atlanta artists and community organizers with one of seven high school student groups.

Our goal was to help each student group create a stronger analysis of the issue they had chosen to address, sharpen their focus, explore community resources, develop clear next steps, and individual accountability.

We pretty much lucked out and roped in an amazing crew of young dynamic organizers. We had WonderRoot Community Art Center Co-founder Chris Appleton, WonderRoot program manager Kwajelyn Jackson, Sierra Club field organizer Erin Glynn, Student Career Alternatives Program organizer Josie Figueroa, LGBTQ advocate Christina Vega, Living Walls organizer and street artist Monica Campana, and myself each took on a group for 90 minutes before coming back together to and let each student group present their next steps.

We don't want to let all the details out about what each group is planning organizing in the coming months but I will say that everyone present was pretty excited about the campaigns that each group is getting closer to launching.

Atlanta, prepare yourself for an unstopable force.

Monica, Chris, Kwajelyn, Josie, Christina, and Erin
Thanks You,Thank You, Thank You!!! Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to spend with Horizons students. You all made a strong impression and your impact on the students campaign work was felt:)




Tim Franzen
America Friends Service Committee