Youth Venture

Stand Up! is a coalition organized with the intention of educating teens about social justice and human rights issues around the world.

We are a Social Justice Coalition launched with the objective of empowering teens to rise above witnessing the world from afar. We hope to become a place where the younger generation of the world can become directly active in current (local and foreign) affairs- through intellectual, poignant discussions, petition writing campaigns to politicians, monthy newsletters, regular fundraisers and forums. We are in the process of forming this organization out of frustration for the patronizing perspective that many adults have taken when interacting with teens interested in social justice, human rights, and politics. But we also have confidence in the power and potent that young voices and opinions could have when collaborated.
We plan on focusing on a different social justice/ human rights issue every month. We will meet at least once a week to discuss the issue, write letters to politicians concerning it, and eventually, print a newsletter with pursuasive essays/ poetry/ stories writen by teens and concerning politics/ social justice/ human rights. Once we are done studying an issue, we will plan a fundraiser to benefit it and educate the larger community on it. These will be things such as poetry readings at local coffee shops, concerts with small bands, etc.
Our long- term goal is to hold a peace march with teen guest speakers and informative booths organized by teens.
We ARE NOT here to have a bake sale then walk away, nor are we here to half- heartedly throw money at a cause or organization. We are here because we are passionate, committed young people with innovative perspectives and influential opinions. We do not see ourselves as having the obligation to change the world because changing the world implies that we are witnesses to the world. We are here because we ARE the world.