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Berks Youth to Help Lead National Discussion Series on Racial Equity

by VOiCEup Berks

Mar 05, 2021

YVC Reading partners with YVC Kansas City on Youth-Led Initiative

Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of Reading members, in collaboration with Youth Volunteer Corps of Kansas City, are launching a virtual series of youth-led discussions on racial equity beginning March 6. The series of discussions follows a format that YVC Reading used last summer to engage dozens of area students in discussions on racial equity and a call to action. That action resulted in the formation of the current youth Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.) movement.

Since September, this movement has engaged hundreds of people in education and awareness initiatives as well as projects supporting racial equity. Projects of note include the Stand Together Against Racism pledge, the development of the educational www.yvc-star.org website, the “YVC Voices for Justice, Equality, and Inclusion” public art installation currently on display at Berks County Community Foundation, and more.

Wilson School District students and administration have been extremely supportive of this student movement, embracing S.T.A.R. as an official school club and involving S.T.A.R. members in the district’s equity task force. Two Wilson High School students will be among eight Berks County youth who help facilitate the national discussion series. Maddy Fratis, a Wilson High School Junior and S.T.A.R. leader said, “Leading national conversations with youth is such a huge milestone in this journey…. I’m excited to hear from kids that are different from me, I think that will make the discussions even better.”

The six-part series will be held on Saturdays in March and April from 1:00-2:30 CT/ 2:00-3:30 ET beginning March 6. Any youth age 11 to 18 is invited to be part of the conversation, to listen, share, learn and create change. To register or for more information contact [email protected].

Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading/Berks County focuses on promoting a lifetime commitment to service among youth by offering volunteer projects for youth ages 11 to 18 on Saturdays, after school, during school, virtually, and during the summer. YVC of Reading/Berks County, hosted by VOiCEup, is one of over 30 affiliates of Youth Volunteer Corps, headquartered in Kansas City. YVC of Reading/Berks County has engaged hundreds of young people from diverse backgrounds in service projects to help this community over the past 4 years. During our last program year, 562 youth served 5,900 volunteer hours with YVC of Reading/Berks County. Find more information at www.voiceupberks.org/yvc.  VOiCEup Berks is a fund of Berks County Community Foundation.

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