United Way of Morris County Events
Past Events

Study Finds Middle School Students Facing Challenges at Earlier Ages
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

United Way and representatives from the community, agencies, and local schools gathered to kick off the new Youth Empowerment Alliance (YEA) at a working meeting on December 11th.  The Alliance was established to address specific issues from a 2005 survey fielded by United Way of Morris County in partnership with consulting organization Youth Empowerment Strategies, Inc. (YES), and local school districts. 

John Franklin, CEO of United Way of Morris County, addressed the group of over 60 people.  He challenged them to "look at the environment in which our kids spend their time to see if they are getting the kind of support they need to make good decisions."   Franklin noted that in order to change kids' environment, "we will have to push beyond what we already know.  We will have to ask some very tough questions and face some very tough realities."

Kathy Kwasnik, YEA facilitator and manager of the United Way of Morris County's Kids on Track action team, recapped the statistics found in the 2005 survey that marked the beginning of efforts aimed at this specific age group.   Kwasnik started her presentation with the good news revealed in the study: students generally understood rules and consequences both at home and at school, felt supported by their families and friends, and reported success in school was important to them. 

Kwasnik also discussed a number of areas which emerged from this research as "shared challenges" which will demand a focused, coordinated response to make some lasting positive change in these kids' lives.  Shared challenges include: feeling unsafe in school and community, lack of positive adult role models, a prevalence of negative peer pressure, and not knowing where to go for help.  The YEA will work to address these challenges. 

Liz Warner, Youth Empowerment Alliance Coordinator, detailed the future and plans for the newly formed Alliance.  The YEA is charged with exploring ways to enhance support for middle school students.  Warner stressed the need for coordination of efforts from the various disciplines represented at the meeting.  "Only with true collaboration can we make some effective and lasting changes for middle school kids in our community," noted Warner. 

Members of the Women's Leadership Council (WLC) of United Way of Morris County played a critical role at the meeting.  Recognizing the challenges facing middle school aged youth in Morris County, the WLC has pledged to lend support to the Youth Empowerment Alliance by making YEA the focus for their fundraising efforts and advocacy this year with the aim of increasing the students' sense of safety and decreasing the chances that middle school youth will engage in risk behaviors. 

To find out more about the Youth Empowerment Alliance, or to get involved, please Email Liz Warner, or phone 973.993.1160 x107.

To find out more about the Women's Leadership Council, or to get involved, please email Amanda Boyadjis, or phone 973.993.1160 x152.