State Partners

Press Release: April 2008

National Youth Leadership Network

Topic: NYLN Welcomes Three State Partners to the National Youth Information Center Grant

NYLN is a non-profit organization led by young people with disabilities. Our mission is to promote youth leadership and education. We teach youth how to advocate. Our goal is to make sure that youth with disabilities have the chance to set and reach their own goals.

In 2007, the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) was awarded a grant. This grant allowed us to serve as the National Youth Information Center (NYIC). The money to do this came from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD).

We want to recognize youth action at the state level. One way we are doing this is through state partnerships. To support state partners, we gave mini-grants to three state groups led by young people. This money will be used to educate and empower young leaders. This may include trainings or public presentations. It may also support other things that have to do with education, employment, leadership and more!

Our state partners are the following:

• Disabled Young People’s Collective in North Carolina (formerly known as the North Carolina Youth Leadership Network),

• YOUTH POWER! from New York, and

• The Youth Council of Idaho.

These groups were chosen because of their youth power and you will learn more about them in our quarterly newsletter and on our web page!

“Young people are doing amazing things around this country,” said Stacey Milbern, NYLN President. “And these state partners are examples of that. When young people connect, share ideas, and work together, their activism explodes even more. NYLN is proud to serve as this bridge to these state projects finding their power!”

For more information, visit our web site at www.nyln.org or call 1-866-480-6565.