Bring
Change
Up2Us is a national coalition that is leading a movement to redefine the role of sports in the lives of young Americans. Its members are committed to using community sports programs to help young people apply valuable life lessons, make smart choices, and bring real change to their communities. Up2Us Newsletter February 2009
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Up2Us.org and Volunteer Database
Go Live!
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Our main hub for resources, research, networking, job and board outreach, and volunteers, Up2Us.org, has launched! The Up2Us Web site and Volunteer Database will provide a home for members, sports programs, intermediaries, funders, government agencies, and the public-at-large to learn about the important work going on in sports-based youth development. Up2Us.org will also be a connection point for thousands of adult volunteers to find opportunities to work with youth through Up2Us programs. With 170+ members, Up2Us already has a strong presence in the youth development world. Now we will have a strong internet and volunteer presence to continue increasing resources in our field.
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Up2Us to Unite SBYD Leaders in Boston on February 26
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 Up2Us and the Boston Youth Sports Initiative will be hosting an Up2Us Regional Conference on Thursday, February 26th, at the Boston TeamWorks Conference Center in Dorchester, MA. This conference will unite 100+ professionals in the field of sports-based youth development for a half day featuring keynote speakers, breakout training workshops, networking opportunities, and a funders resource panel. This conference in Boston is one in a yearlong series of Up2Us Regional Conferences taking place across the country. For more information and to register, visit: Up2Us Regional Conferences.
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What Did Participants Say About the
First Up2Us Regional Conference in New York City?
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"Educational, helpful, enlightening, encouraging to see so many orgs dedicated to youth development through sports, great learning tools during breakouts, conference ran smooth, efficient, informative, well done, fun, outstanding, concise, good range of topics covered during the entire conference, great joining of like minded organizations, great selection during breakouts, array of partners was fantastic, fun to network with other orgs, collaborative, positive experience, enjoyed this conference and looking forward to the next one, excellent day filled with energy and information!"
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Up2Us Engages Americans in National Service
Through "Play It Forward"
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Play It Forward offers real, actionable opportunities for people to participate in national service through sports. The campaign targets youth sports organizations, volunteers and coaches, and the general public. Through direct marketing, media outreach, public-service announcements, and social media outlets, Play It Forward will engage thousands of people in service through sports and spread the message that sports-based youth development is the next generation of youth development. Play It Forward launched during MLK Service Week and will continue to be a major outreach platform for Up2Us throughout the year.
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Up2Us Applies to Create Coach for America,
A Model for National Service Through Sports
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Up2Us has submitted an application to launch Coach for America, the first national effort to mobilize Americans to serve as athletic coaches in under-resourced communities. Through this program, Up2Us will recruit, train, and employ a new workforce that will use its passion for sports to engage youth in physical activity and mentorship. If awarded, Up2Us will place more than 300 coaches in 29 Up2Us member organizations. Thanks to all who participated and helped throughout the Coach for America application process. And, keep your fingers crossed!
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New Up2Us Taskforces Launching:
Program/Training & Organizational Development
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In the coming weeks, Up2Us will be launching its Program/Training and Organizational Development Taskforces. Up2Us Training Consultant Chris Hickey will lead the Program/Training Taskforce in developing workshops, orientations, and webinars for Up2Us staff, coaches, and volunteers. Meanwhile, Rich Souto, Up2Us Steering Committee member, will guide the Organizational Development Taskforce as it identifies shared services to help reduce costs for Up2Us member organizations. If you are an Up2Us member and would like to participate in these or any other Up2Us Taskforces, visit the Taskforce page on Up2Us.org to sign up.
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Bookmark the SportsLetter, a New Youth Sports Blog
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 The LA84 Foundation has recently launched the SportsLetter, an online blog focused on youth sports in America. The SportsLetter will call attention to current issues and breaking stories in youth sports while inviting readers' comments. The blog will also publish opinion pieces and interviews with people who write about, coach, or administer youth sports. To check out the blog, visit: http://www.sportsletter.org/.
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Not an Up2Us Member? Sign Up Here!
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To become an Up2Us member, visit the link below and complete the short survey. All members will receive a complimentary copy of New
Directions for Youth Development: Sports-Based Youth Development,
a journal edited by Steering Committee member Daniel Perkins and Up2Us member
Suzanne Le Menestrel. Membership in Up2Us is free.
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Up2Us Member Organizations
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For a complete list of Up2Us member organizations, click here:
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