What is the YOUTH ARTS GROUP- YAG?

We are a culturally diverse youth group of 18 people. YAG is a program within Rural and Migrant Ministry's Youth Empowerment Program. We are European-American, African American and Latino and we meet every Friday night in Goshen because we are interested in making change. We care about making change because we know that people living under unjust conditions in our community affects us. We are interested in making change because we care about Justice.

We know that our own success individually and as a people depends on all the members of our society being able to live in a way that honors their human rights. To that end, each year we choose issues of injustice that affect us and our communities. We then commit ourselves to bring about change. In the past we have focused on sweatshops, racism in the schools, getting funding for undocumented and migrant students to go to college through our SHARED campaign, and Farmworker issues. Representatives from YAG have spoken in Canada, Mexico, Washington D.C., and Florida as well as locally in churches, schools and at conferences. Graduates of YAG have gone on to the American University in Paris, Bard College, and SUNY schools.

Members gain confidence through learning skills, being exposed to new and varied opportunities, and being involved in a supportive and positive group. Members become empowered by having access to what they call, "The truth about what is happening around us."

The members of YAG invite you to join them on Farmworker Advocacy Day this year. Come and add you voice and creativity to the growing number of young people across the country calling out for social justice now.

Contact Heather or Diana at Rural and Migrant Ministry for more information.

Phone: 845/ 485-8627 Fax: 845/ 485-1963 email: RMMHOPE@Earthlink.net