WE Are a mixture
Youth Affinity Action Squad (YAAS) is like a coalition, which is a combination of several different groups who come together for a similar cause. We are: YOUmedia, COMPASS Peacebuilders, and Grow Hartford Youth.
YOUmedia is a digital learning and maker space for teens ages 13 to 19 only. We aim to help young people access the resources they need to achieve their goals.
COMPASS Peacebuilders is a youth empowerment and crisis response program. YAAS is working specifically with Junior Peacebuilders, a youth group at Compass working on education reform and juvenile justice in Hartford.
Grow Youth Hartford is a youth program that advocates for social justice and equity by addressing issues such as food apartheid, racism, and adultism. Our mission is to bring awareness to these issues and motivate citizens to bring change.
YOUmedia is a digital learning and maker space for teens ages 13 to 19 only. We aim to help young people access the resources they need to achieve their goals.
COMPASS Peacebuilders is a youth empowerment and crisis response program. YAAS is working specifically with Junior Peacebuilders, a youth group at Compass working on education reform and juvenile justice in Hartford.
Grow Youth Hartford is a youth program that advocates for social justice and equity by addressing issues such as food apartheid, racism, and adultism. Our mission is to bring awareness to these issues and motivate citizens to bring change.
THE 10 points
1. Alternatives to Zero Tolerance Policy
- Do our suspension policies lead straight to jail?
- Lunches have to be healthier and reflect the food we see at home and in our communities
- Gay slurs and racial insensitivity: say what you mean and mean what you say
- Verbal violence against each other
- First step in the pyramid of violence
- Art and music classes are the first to go, what’s up with that?
- Teacher hours are cut, what’s up with that?
- Where is money being spent?
- Is it always benefitting the students?
- Why are we learning a whitewashed history?
- What about the people in Hartford who have pioneered in their industry?
- What about all of the POC who built this nation?
- Making sure students are prepared for their first year in college without having to take non-credited classes
- Where are all of the guidance counselors?
- We’re smarter than any scantron sheet can determine. Create space for us to showcase our intellect outside of bubbling letters.
- Colleges have scrapped SAT scores and GRE scores--it’s possible!
- Research supports the impact a teacher of color can have on a student’s success
- Teachers should be mentors, not classroom managers
- No consistency in enforcement
- Should our clothing hinder our ability to learn or be taught?
- Why are people getting suspended because of their uniform?
- Costs are inconsistent based on sizing
- Why are there logos on everything?