All of our Youth Education Programs address issues of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination in our community, and participants take part in experiential activities and diversity discussions to raise awareness and develop action plans to work at inclusion in their communities. Participants in our programs will emerge as leaders and agents of change.  They will learn to associate and work with those who are different from themselves, and they will leave us with the contacts and tools needed to both develop and implement plans for change within their own communities.

The Urban Suburban Student Association (USSA) is a yearlong after school educational program involving students and faculty from 20 area high schools, the purpose of which is to investigate and discuss information and ideas on diversity/inclusion.  The NFJC of WNY, Inc. facilitates the group's monthly meetings, and we work with students on ways they can foster inclusion within their schools and their greater communities.  Monthly meetings take place from November through May.

Youth Leadership Conferences

Held with the goal of providing the skills necessary for inclusive leadership, the expectation is that the leaders who attend these conferences will practice, use, model, and teach what they have learned in their schools and the broader community. 

The next Youth Leadership Conference will focus on:
"Combating Able-ism: Opportunities for Change in Western New York"
Date: December 4, 2008
Place: Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo
*Download brochure for more information

"commUnity build" Youth Leadership Retreats 2008/2009

Our "commUnity build" Youth Leadership Retreats are residential programs that utilize the power of human interaction to enable youth leaders to influence social change.  These weekend long retreats bring together diverse young people from all over Western New York to address the challenges of building an inclusive community among people of diverse backgrounds.  Participants in these programs focus on improving their understanding of themselves, their family, their community, and the relationships between all three.   Delegates to these retreats examine personal and societal stereotypes and prejudices, and graduates of the NFJC Youth Leadership Retreats are charged with using their new found knowledge/understanding of diversity issues as change agents in their communities.

The NFJC of WNY will host two commUnity build retreats this year; one for High School students and one for Middle School students.  They will be hosted at St. Bonaventure University and are sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. These events will be facilitated and chaperoned by NFJC staff and a trained team of professionals.  Delegates will need to be recommended for participation in these programs by their teachers, counselors, mentors, tutors, faith leaders, etc., and all applications will be reviewed by the NFJC of WNY so as to ensure that the most appropriate candidates are selected for participation.

The next date for our “commUnity build” retreat will be:

Middle School: March 27 – 29, 2009

Sheriff & Youth Live-In Camp is a weeklong program in August for youth 14-16 years old. This live-in opportunity breaks down barriers and builds relationships among law enforcement officers and youth. more>>