Bloomington United For Youth

Bloomington United for Youth is a supporter of the Bloomington Youth Action Crew (“BYAC”). BYAC is a group of middle and high school age students who are working to improve the health and well-being of Bloomington youth by:

• Surveying Bloomington youth, businesses and organizations to map and promote youth-friendly opportunities.
• Conducting a marketing campaign to promote healthy choices among eighth- and ninth-graders.
• Developing public service announcements that discourage alcohol use by teens aired in the high schools and middle schools.
• Hosting a workshop to identify characteristics of caring adults and creating a brochure to encourage more caring adults.

The Bloomington Youth Action Crew (BYAC) was launched in spring 2009. BYAC is a youth engagement project to identify and promote youth-friendly opportunities in Bloomington. It is comprised of students from Kennedy and Jefferson High Schools and Oak Grove Middle School. BYAC is offered through Bloomington Public Health and support is provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, McKnight Foundation, Park Nicollet Foundation, Bloomington Education Foundation, and Safe and Drug Free Schools.

A survey of Bloomington's Jefferson and Kennedy High School students indicated BYAC made a positive impact in their lives. Though not representative of all Bloomington students, the survey said BYAC did the following:

• Influenced 71% to not use alcohol
• Helped youth find places to apply for jobs, places to hang out, places to volunteer and find resources
• Helped youth become more aware of opportunities, encourage others to participate in activities
  and participate in a new activity themselves