Northeast Coalition evolves existing Hotline
Every day, at least 8 million children are left alone and unsupervised once the school bell rings. While 9 out of 10 Americans think that all youth should have access to after-school programs, two-thirds say it is difficult to find programs…even locally (according to the National Youth Violence Office).
This is true for Northeast Portland youth, who voiced a need and a concern at a recent Youth Engagement Workshop sponsored by the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods and League of Women Voters of Portland. During the discussion following a panel of community leaders, youth asked how to find out about all of the issues and opportunities to get involved. It was clear that youth want to be engaged and need the channels to do so. Youth participant, Deyalo Bennette, shares that “This is another step for our community to take the lead in responding to our own needs. It is a symbol of positive change. I am inspired to be the lead youth organizer for the Hotline.”
“I didn’t have this growing up and didn’t know there could be more to my life than basketball until I graduated college. The Hotline is helpful for youth to know resources to develop personal skills and interests. Today’s youth are primed to learn and explore. If they don’t have an outlet for this creativity or interest, then they turn to the streets,” explains Imani Muhammad, Hotline Project Coordinator, “For the average youth who are not enrolled in programs that provide afterschool programming, the number one question is where do I go and how do I find out about opportunities for youth. Youth today are ready to lead and want to be prepared,” she continues.
In response to the local youth outcry and the lack of access to information, the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods stepped up in January 2009 to provide a central communication hub in partnership with youth, schools, agencies and organizations. The NE Coalition evolved its Youth Gangs Hotline into a Community Youth Hotline to serve more youth and offer greater access to free and affordable programs.
With a generous grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the Community Youth Hotline is rapidly evolving under the leadership of Imani Muhammad, the founder of the Youth Summit and the Peace and Unity Festival. A team of eight youth guide the development and direction of the Hotline along with a growing number of adults- all serving on the Youth Advisory Council.
The vision for the Hotline is to be a current and dynamic information referral resource for youth of all ages to call and find out how to get connected to free and affordable programs, projects, jobs and volunteer opportunities within their neighborhood. Youth will be connected to services including basic needs, alcohol and drug treatment, family support, and gang prevention as well as projects, afterschool programs, jobs, volunteers opportunities, arts and culture events and classes. Youth with ideas are encouraged to call to join the think-tank of creating a thriving community. With 24 hour messaging service, calls will be answered and returned by staff and volunteers Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:30pm.
Individuals, associations, agencies and organizations are encouraged to register their opportunities for youth in the Community Youth Hotline Directory at http://hotline.necoalition.org or call 503-823-4264.
Youth and adults interested in participating in the development of this project can drop in to the Youth Advisory Council meetings on the First and Third Fridays at 3:30pm at the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, 4815 NE 7th Avenue, Portland.
Donations to the Hotline to support its development may be sent to “Community Youth Hotline”, NE Coalition of Neighborhoods, 4815 NE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211 or visit www.necoalition.org.
The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, an independent non-profit, is a district coalition dedicated to the building a vibrant community for ALL in the inner North and Northeast Portland area.
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If you’d like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Imani Muhammad, please call 503-823-4575 or 503-823-4264 or email imani@necoalition.org. Thank you.