Hello, YUGA!

Hello!  I'm Dounia Bredes, the new Youth Outreach and Marketing Coordinator for Youth Engagement and Action (YEA) programs here at Plan International USA.  I work with Corrie Mook, the wonderful YEA Coordinator, here at Plan's offices in Warwick, Rhode Island.  I'm happy to finally introduce myself to you!

 

My background is in education and youth mentoring, with experience in marketing and publicity.  I come from a small town in northeastern Vermont, but I've spent time in New Haven, Connecticut and in New York City, and I've also studied abroad in Dakar, Senegal.  (Psst!  You should study abroad, too!)

As Outreach and Marketing Coordinator, I get the wider world to appreciate (and participate in!) the impressive initiatives run by YEA: School-2-School Linking, Walk for Wells, and, of course, YUGA. 

I have quite a few goals for YEA's programming in 2012.  I want to post more, Tweet more, and rally more for YUGA's campaigns; I also want to get more mentions, more followers, and more connections for you and your YUGA chapter.  In short, I want to get the word out.  Across the country, YUGA members are taking action on world issues.  I want to support you, connect you, and cheer you on!

Another one of my goals is a "relaunch" of YUGA's look in January 2012.  The relaunch includes a new logo, an updated website, re-tooled toolkits, and much more.  Here's a sneak peek!

YUGA is still a youth-led, grassroots movement.  That means that you lead, you learn, and you decide what happens next.

 

What do you think of the relaunch?  Where do you want YUGA to go in 2012?  Leave a comment on this post to let me know!

Move to Stop AIDS Dance-a-Thon a Success!

Youth from around the state danced the night away at Plan USA's 5th annual Move to Stop AIDS Dance-a-Thon!

We were thrilled to raise $5,500 for Plan's HIV/AIDS programs in Zimbabwe, thanks to the hard work of YUGA youth, raffle prize money, and a generous donor who agreed to match everything raised at the Dance-a-Thon!

Check out pictures pictures from the Dance-a-Thon taken by YUGA member Rachel from Cranston East High School. Thanks to everyone who came out to a great night!



Two bands from Cranston East High School performed a song for the Dance-a-Thon.



Everyone at the Dance-a-Thon enjoyed music from DJ Tatu!

The finished pieces! Dance-a-Thon attendees helped paint four canvases to
reflect their feelings about AIDS in different communities of the world.

Mayor Cicilline came to our Dance-a-Thon! He had great things to say about YUGA, and was excited to receive a plaque of thanks from YUGA members.

Pictured above: Clare, Arisa, Livia, Angie, and Carissa.

Representatives from Edesia hosted a table at the Dance-a-Thon. Edesia is a global nonprofit that treats malnutrition and extreme hunger, located right here in Providence! To learn more, visit http://www.edesiaglobal.com/.



Dancers from PAIS performed a traditional bellydance!



PAIS dancers perform a dance they choreographed themselves!



Above, Linda and Daniel- mother and son- do a capoeira demonstration.



Emily and AliceMae had a great time at the Dance-a-Thon!



To host a Dance-a-Thon at your school or community center, contact yuga@planusa.org!

Welcome Katie, Our New DC Intern!

Hi YUGA!

My name is Katie and I am the new Youth Engagement and Action intern in Plan USA’s Washington, DC office. I am so excited to be part of the YEA team and to learn more about all the great work your YUGA chapters are doing across the country! Now to tell you a bit about myself: I love learning about other countries and I have been lucky enough to travel to every continent except for Australia (though it’s high on my list!). I even lived in Ecuador for a year and I really enjoyed immersing myself into a new culture practicing my Spanish, and trying lots of new foods (guinea pig included!). I spent the past two years working on global education programs in DC schools, and now I’m currently studying International Development Studies in graduate school. In my free time I love to explore the city, go to baseball games (I am one of the only true Nationals fans), and I love to dance!

Just like you, I really believe that we are all global citizens and that we must do our part to help one another. I am thrilled to do whatever I can to support your YUGA chapters and to help you raise awareness for global issues in your community. Best of luck and we’ll be in touch!

Thanks so much,

Katie