Youth Challenge Award Sacramento
CALLING ALL YOUTH! OPEN NOW UNTIL NOVEMBER 1ST
A REQUEST FOR YOUR IDEAS ABOUT MAKING SACRAMENTO A BETTER PLACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
citiesRISE is launching the Youth Challenge Award (YCA) in Sacramento to support emerging young leaders and youth-focused organizations focused on improving mental health for and with young people in Sacramento. We are looking for project submissions that are largely designed and implemented by youth (age 15-35) and that address one or more of these four areas:
- Removing stigma from the narrative around mental health so that it is valued
- Increasing access to care and support for everyone
- Building social connectedness
- Creating environments that support mental health and well-being
What’s the deal?
The youth leader(s) who receive the challenge award will work closely with the citiesRISE team to refine, implement, and evaluate the initiative. The award winner(s) will receive one year of funding ($2,000-$10,000) along with other capacity-building and networking support so that they can make their ideas a reality.
Beyond the Youth Challenge Award, citiesRISE has a growing network of young people passionate about transforming mental health in their community and globally. Every young person who applies is invited to join and support a youth network being established in Sacramento and participate at the global level activities that connects youth in participating cities from Colombia, Kenya, India, the United States, and additional countries in the future.
Who can apply?
Individuals, groups of young people, and/or organizations that support youth are welcome to apply.
Download the full Sacramento YCA Expression of Interest Request announcement here
Download the Sacramento YCA Submission Guide here
What type of ideas are we looking for?
Your submission should address one or more of the below areas:
- Removing stigma from the narrative around mental health so that it is valued
- Increasing access to care and support for everyone
- Building social connectedness
- Creating environments that support mental health and well-being
Through our conversations and learnings in Sacramento, several themes emerged that might provide guidance on what could be (but not required) included in the proposal:
- Addressing social justice and racial inequality
- Opportunities for self-expression including music
- Building a sense of hope
- Making connections to one’s identity and/or community
- Addressing the need for role models and increased awareness about resources
- Creating a sense of safety such as reducing the fears around immigration status of oneself or one’s family
- Ensuring cultural appropriateness
- Reaching out to specific populations such as homeless youth and the LGBTQ+ community
Finally, keep in mind that the below components are important to citiesRISE:
- Youth define their own vision, goals, objectives, programs, and desired outcomes [must include young people’s lived experience].
- Youth views prevail and allow for “thinking outside of the box.”
- Youth articulate how meaningful, real, and measurable change for public good can be achieved.
- Youth incorporate elements of social justice, self-expression and/or music into the proposed activities.
How to apply?
STEP 1 – REVIEW THE ANNOUNCEMENT: Review the ENTIRE attached documents carefully.
STEP 2 – ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP (Not required but encouraged)
- citiesRiSE will offer idea support through informational workshops held on October 15th and October 16th 2019. Please RSVP to reserve your spot below.
STEP 3 – COMPLETE A COVER SHEET: Fill out the cover sheet that is part of the application guide.
STEP 4 – WRITE YOUR NARRATIVE: Write a narrative that includes all the information requested below. Please use 11 point font or larger and single space your document.
Section 1. Who are you? (2 page maximum) Please answer Section 1 EITHER as an individual / group OR an organization.
Individual/group History – (if you do not have an organization or are applying without a host organization) (2 page maximum, single spaced 11pt font)
- Description of youth involved in the project/idea and the individual’s or group’s experience or “lived experience”
- Description of what you or the group currently do that can have an impact on mental health?
- Purpose behind your idea
- Information on any awards, successes and relevant impact statistics
Organization History – (please include information on your organization here)
- Mission statement of organization
- Brief history of organization including years of operation
- Description of organization’s current programs and services
- Information on any awards, successes and relevant impact statistics
Section 2. What is your project/idea? (2 page maximum)
- Purpose of project/idea, including information about which focus area(s) (listed on page 2) the project/idea targets
- Description of the youth whom the project/idea will target
- Main activities of project/idea and the reason(s) the activities are “youth-friendly”
- List of how money will be used to support the project (amounts not required)
- Description of how activities will impact the participants and of how these youth will be different in 10 years
Section 3. Why do you think this project will be successful?(2 page maximum)
- What is the feasibility of success? Describe why your approach is practical
- Why is now the right time for this project? (I.e. relevant policy, leadership, infrastructure)
- What makes you believe the project will be effective and can implemented in the time proposed?
STEP 5 – SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: Submit your cover sheet and narrative via email to YCAsubmissions@cities-rise.org prior to the deadline. Make sure to include “Sacramento YCA” in the subject line of your email. If you are interested in the project or would like our help with your application/submission, please contact Greg Garcia (greg@cities-rise.org) for support.
Submission Deadline: November 1st, 2019 at 5pm PST
Good luck! We look forward to receiving your submission!
Download the full Sacramento YCA Expression of Interest Request announcement