Youth

In 2007, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay launched an initiative for at-risk youth. During its research, the foundation noticed the successes of Connected by 25, a Hillsborough County organization and initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Funded locally by the Eckerd Family Foundation, Connected by 25 has been very successful in helping young adults transition from foster care to independent adulthood. The foundation believed a similar organization could be formed in Pinellas County.

In just one year, the number of marathon runners in Salina, Kan. tremendously increased. As a part of the Greater Salina Community Foundation’s School Marathon Initiative, more than 1,700 children from seven elementary schools ran or walked a marathon in September and October. When school started, kids literally hit the ground running!

From Caracus, Venezuela to the west side of Santa Barbara, El Sistema music program is nurturing young musicians around the world while dramatically changing the life trajectory of children in need. Founded over 30 years ago on the streets of Caracus, El Sistema—or “the system”—is an afterschool program designed to empower children beyond the classroom, breaking the cycle of poverty and effecting social change through the pursuit of musical excellence. El Sistema is now modeled in over 25 countries and 30 cities in the United States, including Santa Barbara.

"Violence is a learned behavior. Like all learned behaviors, it can be changed."
— Mothers Against Teen Violence

The Midland County Violence Prevention Partnership was recently highlighted on an international program called "A World of Possibilities."

Mission

The Midland County Violence Prevention Partnership's mission is to actively promote the safety and well-being of its citizens by preventing youth violence and gang activities through awareness, education, collaboration and involvement.

Diane Latiker had had enough.

After watching her eight children drawn toward a life of gangs and crime in Chicago’s impoverished Roseland neighborhood, Diane finally pulled her 13-year-old daughter in off the block. And she welcomed every one of the neighborhood’s teens in, too.