Pittsburgh, PA (June 18, 2019) Young Voices for the Planet is honored to announce it has been awarded $90,000 from The Heinz Endowments in support of a series of Civic Engagement and Democracy Educator Workshops throughout greater Pittsburgh, named in memory of local conservationist Paula Sculley.
These daylong professional development courses are being hosted by many Pittsburgh-area institutions including the Phipps Conservatory, Camp Lutherlyn, LaRoche College and the upcoming Pittsburgh Botanic Garden (June 26, 2019). The workshops, inspired by the youth solutions in the “Young Voices for the Planet” films, show formal and informal educators how to unleash the power of young people to make a difference in the world. Through the YVFP Civic Engagement curriculum, educators learn how to use an ACTION plan to empower their students in the face of climate change and other environmental concerns.
The workshops are led by YVFP founder, children’s book author/illustrator and producer of the YVFP films Lynne Cherry who, with professional facilitators from the Allegheny Land Trust and Pittsburgh Botanic Garden and other local environmental educators, will guide educators in discussions and break-out sessions, screen the “Young Voices for the Planet” films, and present the Civic Engagement and Democracy curriculum.
Lynne Cherry’s presentation includes:
· YVFP’s theory of change and approach to youth empowerment.
· Consideration of psychology and social science when teaching troubling environmental issues.
· Techniques on how to overcome students’ “motivated avoidance” when learning about troubling issues.
· Assistance to students in overcoming doom and gloom through solutions and success stories and becoming energized by hope for the future.
· Guidance for students in creating their action plan to address an issue of their choosing in their community in Western Pennsylvania.
YVFP director Lynne Cherry’s says, “We are so grateful to The Heinz Endowments for helping unleash the creative power of young people to regenerate democracy and protect their future. This grant will help shine a light on youth solutions, motivate action on climate change, and instill in young people the knowledge that they can indeed change the world.”
The Heinz Endowments awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process.
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Young Voices for the Planet’s mission is to limit the magnitude of climate change and its impacts by empowering children and youth to take an essential role in informing their communities — and society at large, challenging decision-makers and catalyzing change. https://www.youngvoicesforthep
The Heinz Endowments is devoted to the mission of helping southwestern Pennsylvania prosper as a vibrant center of creativity, learning, and social, economic and environmental sustainability. Core to their work is the vision of a just community where all are included and where everyone who calls our region home has a real and meaningful opportunity to thrive. http://www.heinz.org/
