Youth Programs

  

  

VISION

"A world where every person has a decent place to live."
Youth United contributes to this vision by investing in young people who possess the empathy, knowledge and skill to address the causes and effects of poverty.
 
MISSION

Habitat for Humanity’s Youth United program in Oakland County educates, equips, empowers, and engages persons age 5 to 25 to take the lead in meeting the housing needs of low-income families.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

1. Educate.  Youth United members learn and teach the causes and effects of poverty housing in Oakland County and Habitat for Humanity’s solution to the problem.

2. Equip. Youth United provides access to resources that support action and advocacy. These resources include leadership coaching and training, connections to community leaders and the operational resources of Habitat for Humanity.

3. Empower.  Youth United encourages its members to cast their own vision and direct their own initiatives to accomplish Habitat for Humanity’s mission in Oakland County.

4. Engage.  Youth United members take action to address the poverty housing problem in Oakland County.

5. Extend.  Youth United members become Youth United alumni who continue to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission in Oakland County and around the world.

FACTS

• Students from Andover High School formed the first Youth United club in September 2005
• Youth United chapters/clubs operate at thirteen high schools in Oakland County
• Two students leaders from each high school serve on a countywide Student Leadership Team (SLT)
• The SLT governs the annual advocacy and fundraising campaigns
• Youth United has raised over $150,000 to build two Habitat for Humanity homes in Pontiac

2008 - 2009 CAMPAIGN

• Raise $100,000 to build the first Youth United-sponsored LEED-certified Habitat for Humanity home in the state of Michigan
• State Farm is presenting sponsor of the project ($10,000)
• Youth United member schools and Oakland University’s college chapter will contribute $20,000 to the campaign via school fundraisers
• A direct mail campaign to family and friends of student volunteers will raise $10,000
• Under the direction of the PR agency professional, the students’ PR team from West Bloomfield High School will seek to raise funds from the general public ($10,000)
• Efforts are under way to cultivate over 25 Oakland County businesses to contribute a total of $50,000 in sponsorships toward the project