Marquette, MI - News Detail

Reclaiming Futures, Project WEAVE Youth Advisory Committee Awarded $1,000 To Lead A National Youth Service Day Project

Marquette, MI and Washington, D.C. – March 29, 2004 – Youth Service America (YSA) today awarded $1,000 to Reclaiming Futures, Project WEAVE Youth Advisory Committee of Marquette, Michigan in collaboration with the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency through the State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Awards.

Selected from over 850 applicants, Project WEAVE’s Youth Advisory Committee will use the funds to implement a service project during National Youth Service Day on April 16-18, 2004. Youth Services of America awarded 100 service-learning project grants through the organization’s State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Awards.

As the Presenting Sponsor of National Youth Service Day 2004, State Farm Companies Foundation is making a substantial commitment to Youth Service American’s service-learning initiatives. In addition to financial support, many State Farm® employees and agents and their families will participate in local National Youth Service Day events nationwide. Rod Lizak, Marquette State Farm Agent, supports the initiative of informing the public about juvenile substance abuse and the ways our community can help youth and families.

The Marquette area Project WEAVE Youth Advisory Committee has developed a series of slides to be shown at two Marquette area movie theaters; GKC Royale and the GKC Delft during National Youth Service Day. The main focus of the slides will be statistical information regarding Marquette County juvenile drug and alcohol use. Another slide will ask members of the community to get involved with youth by becoming a mentor.

The Youth Advisory Committee is comprised of six teens ranging in age from 13 to 18; they have been working together for the past two years and are committed to helping teens overcome drugs, alcohol and crime. “We want the public to be aware of what we, the Youth Advisory Committee, are doing. A lot of people go to the movies each week, slides will reach many people informing them of the effects of drugs and alcohol on teenagers.”

The Reclaiming Futures, Project WEAVE Youth Advisory Committee invites all Marquette County residents to join them at the GKC Royal Cinema, 1351 O’Dovero Drive in Marquette, on April 16 beginning at 6pm. The Youth Advisory Committee will be handing out information on juvenile drug/alcohol use and mentoring local youth.

“We are so proud of the members of the Project WEAVE’s Youth Advisory Committee,” explains Liz Smith, Director of Project WEAVE. “The teens worked diligently on all aspects of developing this service learning project. They serve as an excellent example of the strengths of our youth in Marquette County.”

For More information or to schedule an interview with youth members please contact Liz Smith at Project WEAVE (906) 228-8176 x 507 or projectweaveglrc@hotmail.com.