| Update Summer 2006 |
| SNEEJ Youth Organizing Training Institute takes place in Matamoros, Mexico. July 11-17, 2006 |
| Each year the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice sponsors an intensive week-long training conference for youth from organizations throughout the Southwest network. The fifth annual YOTI (Youth Organizing Training Institute) took place in Matamoros, Mexico July 11-17, 2006. This year's YOTI was the first ever to take place outside of the United States and was a great success, allowing youth activists from both sides of border to join hands in the struggle for justice. Two PODER representatives, Co-director Erika Gonzales and intern Nicole Martinez attended the 2006 YOTI and have returned ready to share their ideas and experiences. |
| PODER Awards Scholarships to Three Young Scholars For Justice |
| Congratulations to Anabel Acuna, Onecka Davis, and Briseida Hernandez, recent graduates of Johnston High School! |
| New Young Scholars for Justice Participate in Summer Training Program |
| Each summer, PODER trains young pioneers for social justice through its Young Scholars for Justice (YSJ) summer training program. This year, 15 participants representing three East Austin High Schools participated in our summer training program. The YSJ worked hard for four weeks this June. Projects they worked on included a voter registration drive at local recreation centers, administering health surveys in communities affected by the tank farms, putting together a youth forum to discuss youth services in Austin, and preparing for the Daniel Rocha Vigil. The youth also received training in areas such as community organizing and leadership, public speaking, juvinile justice, and environmental and economic justice. We at PODER are proud to announce this new generation of community leaders. Congratulations YSJ 2006! |