Youth Foundation Offers Memberships

Ojai teenagers have an opportunity to help create solutions to community problems through membership in the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation.

All interested youths have been urged to attend the Town Meeting Monday at Matilija Junior High School in the cafeteria from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The foundation is one of only 16 agencies statewide to receive a $125,000 planning grant, beating out nearly 400 nonprofit agencies.

The money, awarded by the California Wellness Foundation, will allow the Ojai group over the next 16 months to plan a “wellness village.” The concept came from another county youth group that redesigned a city block to offer a safe environment for children to play after school.

A portion of the grant has been set aside for 55 positions for youths and adults aged 12 to 25 on three committees: an all-youth marketing agency, a youth leadership committee and a planning group.

Employment will run from January through March 1999 with a stipend of $250.

Those involved in the marketing agency will use a variety of techniques, such as advertising and public service announcements, to inform the community about the project.

The youth leadership committee will consist of two students from every secondary school to serve as information contacts for peers. They will also create and lead a leadership training course for youths and adults.

The planning committee will work in partnership with adults to come up with a plan for how Ojai youths can improve their community.

Ten of the 16 agencies awarded the planning grant from the Wellness Foundation will go on to receive $750,000 over the next 3 1/2 years to pursue projects, serving as models for the rest of the state.

Applications will be available at the Town Meeting and at every Ojai Valley public and private secondary school office. The application deadline is noon Friday.