Invisible Youth Network has declared the 2nd Saturday of October Annually!! as Youth Outreach Day.
So, what does this mean to you, the reader?
How might you participate in this event that is designed to reach out to homeless and/or otherwise at-risk youth?
There are many things one could do when it comes to participating in something like this, and you can do one or more of what we're about to suggest or even think of some of your own.
Prayer and/or positive thoughts is always a great starting point--but it's just a starting point, as we're expected to put wings on our prayers and to convert our positive thoughts into positive actions.
Once you have studied this information in order to know more about what this event is all about and its possibilities, write to your elected officials (everybody from the Mayor/Town Council right up to The President of The United States--or, if you're from another country, whomever the powers-that-be are there) asking that they might declare the second Saturday in October as Youth Outreach Day--not as a holiday where people get paid leave from work but just as one of those holidays that appear on calendars such as Groundhog Day, Sweetest Day, etc.
We have a form letter as part of our Petition Enact Youth Outreach Day
& a pretty one on Our Letter Page.
While you're contacting people, you might also include your local media and some of your favorite celebrities asking them if they would get involved in some way when it comes to celebrating this special day.
Become familiar with our mission by having a nose around this site and checking out our Online Directory in order to learn about at least some of the places online where IYN is represented. Perhaps, you might find some groups and/or activities of which you might want to be a part. You might also like to check our Volunteer Opportunities and see what is needed there that might be of interest for you and/or somebody you know.
Youth Outreach Day, would be a great day for businesses to give a small percentage of what they take in that day to IYN and/or any local agencies, churches, etc., who are doing something positive for homeless and or otherwise at-risk babies, children, teens, and young adults.
If you are a business owner, would consider this?
If you don't own a business, you can still discuss this with those who own, manage the restaurants, stores, and other establishments in your area and maybe encourage them to get involved.
We have a growing number of chapters of IYN, all of which we will encourage to get involved in holding a local event suited to their location, some of these chapters can be found here.
We would like to encourage more schools, colleges, etc., to start chapters by contacting us, you'll be surprised at just how easy this can be.
It would be great to have several high schools, etc., start chapters & then, make the promotion of Youth Outreach Day a priority in their community & of course hold their own event, when the day comes, with some suggestions being (but not limited to): bake sale, car wash, walk-a-thon, talent show, showing classic movies (complete with popcorn) in the school auditorium for a small admission fee, having a carnival.
Individuals may try getting together with your neighbors and having a yard sale with part of the proceeds going to IYN. You could even print out our Pamphlet so people can read what we're all about.
If you're a popular musician, have a concert where at least part of your profits will go to IYN.
Churches and other organizations could host a dining experience in their fellowship halls. For a small (LARGE) donation.
You could get togehter with some friends or go alone to shop for items listed on our Wish list. You could of course do this or many of the other suggestions any time - BUT for Youth Outreach Day, would be great & the promotion of this day is of the up most importance.
If you know where homeless youth spend time (if you live in, or near, a community that has them), get with a group of people and have a cookout with them (the Youth) as the guests of honor.
I hope that these suggestions will get you started on your celebration of Youth Outreach Day. Feel free to drop us an e-mail to share how you ended up spending Saturday, October 10th, 2009 or what you are planning for
Saturday, October 9th, 2010.
In what ever you do, we wish you luck, & Thank You for your efforts.
If you act in the name of Invisible Youth Network, please read this!!
THANK YOU !!