Youth members of Be the Change of the Florida Keys, Inc., formerly Monroe Youth Challenge Program, are gearing up to celebrate this year’s many accomplishments. Be the Change youth invite the community to an evening of art and celebration on Thursday, May 12 at 6 pm at the Marathon High School auditorium, located at 350 Sombrero Beach Road in Marathon. The event is free.
The restructured non-profit has operated as its own entity since last August when a new board of directors took over the operation of the Keys-wide youth leadership development program.
The evening will highlight the student led projects and showcase their efforts Keys-wide. The focus this year has been to utilize art to engage youth in social advocacy and civic engagement. An exhibit of several art projects is planned, including the “Peace of Art” Project, Kid’s Guernica Project, and the Rainbarrel Art Project. The youth also plan to share their success with community events they implemented, such as Soup-A-Bowl in the Upper Keys and the Talent Show in the Lower Keys. These events were held to support charities that serve women and children locally and globally.
The organization will also honor the Keys-wide Be the Change PeaceJam Youth Board, mentoring programs, and the partnership with a number of Monroe County School District teachers and students through service learning.
Be the Change of the Florida Keys, Inc (BTC) is a non-profit organization to build Developmental Assets® and create opportunities so every child in Monroe County can feel safe, loved, and celebrated. For more information call Be the Change Regional Prevention Coordinator Michele Sutter at 305-852-1664.
