Youth MOVE National's Dare to Dream America!

Youth MOVE National, a subsidiary of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, is a youth led national organization devoted to improving services and systems that support positive growth and development by uniting the voices of individuals who have lived experience in various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education, and child welfare.

Youth MOVE National has decided to create Dare to Dream America; based on the successful Dare to Dream Program from Ontario, Canada; where youth (23 years of age and under) get involved in mental health awareness activities. 

In May 8 2008, during Mental Health Awareness Week we will launch Dare to Dream America.  Through an application process young people from all over the country will propose an activity that promotes positive mental health in their school/community.  Selected proposals will receive a $1,000 stipend to assist them with implementing their proposed activity.

This is a chance for youth to stand up and help other youth in their schools and communities by promoting positive mental health across America; hence “Dare to Dream America.”

Dare to Dream America also requires an adult mentor as well as specific deliverables and outcomes that young people will agree to as part of the receipt of the funds.  Young people from Youth MOVE will select the “winners” and oversee the initiatives.  In this first round we expect to fund approximately 20 initiatives. 

Application forms will be located on our website www.youthmove.us and www.ffcmh.org  starting May 8, 2008.

Download the poster here!

Good luck getting started! If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring an initiative please contact Carl Yonder at cyonder@ffcmh.org or call 240-403-1901.

Countdown to Children's Mental Health Awareness Week...