Our News
Friday, August 27th
Spokane Youth Day!
Join over 5,000 youth ages 14-24 in Riverfront Park for Spokane ’s first annual, “Youth Day!” from 11a.m.-6p.m. on Friday, August 27th. Enjoy free games, activities, music, and more. Learn about the many great resources Spokane organizations and businesses offer youth. Finally, form a team and participate in the “Where’s Baldo?” scavenger hunt to earn amazing prizes. The event is provided free of charge, however, there’s a $5/person ($10 for a team of two) registration fee to participate in the scavenger hunt. Individuals are welcome to participate in a team of 2 or by themselves. The event is sponsored by Youth ‘N Action and Passages Family Support, programs of Volunteers of America with funding from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services. Contact Ryan at Roelrich@VOASpokane.org to register or call (509)954-7373.
May 28
YNA Celebrates Children's Mental Health Awareness Month
In May Youth 'N Action members in Spokane, WA celebrated Mental Health Awareness month through a community wide event
at Riverfront Park. YNA members hosted a children's carnival featuring over a dozen activities and games,
participated in an awareness walk, and several Youth 'N Action members shared their personal stories with a
crowd of approximately 50 participants. YNA partnered with the event's lead organizer Passage's Family Support,
NAMI, and SAFE Washington in hosting the 2nd annual event.
May 22
YNA Drama Team - Real Youth in Motion
Western Washington: YNA members presented Challenges to Community Integration for Youth in Transition; at
the Co-occuring disorders conference in Yakima September 2008, from that presentation they met Lori Yates, a theatrical therapist who donated 10 weeks
of service to youth 'n action to develop a production of their own. From that formed a long term partnership
that's been going strong for almost a year. YNA members are working hard to produce their first production
"Life is not a game: 20 plays in 40 minutes". This is a theater exploration of truth. Experience life through
the eyes of a transition age youth (16-25), currently one of the most under served and under supported populations
in the country. As well as the most mis understand. Actors tackle tough issues like family, peers,
mental illness, education, employment, drugs and alcohol and much more. The drama is followed up with a
panel presentation with actors and directors to discuss issues portrayed or anything else that may come up. Our
hope is to reduce stigma, provide hope, share experiences, create awareness and build more supports for youth
in transition all over the State of Washington.
May 06
Family Event in Riverfront Park,
North Bank Shelter,
Saturday, May 8th noon-4p.m.
On Saturday, May 8th the community is invited to attend "Lifting the Veil," an event to honor Children's Mental
Health Awarness week. The event is sponsored by Passage's Family Support, Youth 'N Action, NAMI, and SAFE
Washington, and will feature a children's carnival, live music, a free lunch, an awareness walk, and a
proclamation by Spokane Mayor, Mary Verner. Youth 'N Action members will sponsor the carnival and will be
responsible for operating games and other kid's activities.
May 05
Youth 'N Action Members "Go Green" For Bloomsday
Eastern Washington Youth 'N Action members made the front page of the Spokesman Review newspaper when they sported green face paint, clothes, hats, necklaces, wrist bands, and other green items to participate in Spokane's annual 12K run. The youth did so to raise awareness around mental health as centuries ago green paint was thrown on those considered mentally ill to warn others. Fifteen YNA membes reclaimed the color in a more positive manner to remind the 52,000+ individuals running Bloomsday not to stigmatize those with mental health challenges. The youth also wore mental health awareness ribbons and handed out green write bands bearing the phrase "Empower!".
April 24
Art for Understanding
Eastern Washington Youth 'N Action members spent April working on a painting to represent "youth voice" which will
be displayed publicly at a Spokane theater. Over a dozen YNA members took turns adding their artistic talents to
the art piece. The work will be displayed as part of a disabilities awareness day event held at the theater on
Saturday, May 2nd. The artwork will then move to its permanent location at the Youth 'N Action club house.
March 14
YNA Tackles Stigma Through Film Project
Recently Eastern Washington Youth 'N Action members put on make up, were trained in the art of acting, and learned the basics of the film industry to star in a regional film project titled, "I am more than my diagnosis." In partnership with Passages Family Support and with the generous support of Thinking Cap & Hamilton Studios, Youth 'N Action(YNA) members tackled stigma surrounding mental illness through what will be a statewide televised public service announcement (PSA). The PSA will also air in northern Idaho and Oregon, and western Montana. Youth members have participated in writing the script and have starred in the film which will air on Comcast Channels in late May and June as well as be published online through a variety of mental health websites and on the popular YouTube site. The PSA will be featured on the Youth 'N Action website upon completion, so check back to check it out!
March 13
Youth 'N Action Spokane Finds a Home!
Youth 'N Action Spokane (YNA) has found a home at 928 W. Spofford (corner of N. Monroe & Spofford) in north Spokane.
The space will house future YNA meetings, events, and activities and provides a comfortable atmosphere designed and
decorated by youth for youth. It features a big screen television, comfortable couches and lounge chairs, a beverage
and snack fridge, a resource center, games, music, and more. It's also right on a bus route, has plenty of free
parking, and is within walking distance of downtown Spokane. The space was furnished through donations from the
community.
This space is a dream come true," said YNA Co-Director, Ryan Oelrich. "It will provide a safe and accepting
environment where youth can plan future advocacy events, learn from one another, and above all feel comfortable
just being themselves."
To conserve already scarce resources, YNA shares the space with another local non profit program that uses the space at times when YNA does not. For more information on upcoming YNA events or to tour the awesome space, contact Youth 'N Action Spokane.