Trail Blazing Training

As part of the Saratoga Springs’ Dr. King Celebration Weekend (01/12/18 – 01/15/18), MLK Saratoga is hosting “Seen AND Heard: A Day of Social Justice Awareness for Teens”, Saturday, January 13th, 9 am to 3:30 pm, at Maple Avenue Middle School.

Youth2 (www.youthsquared.org) will offer their “Trailblazing Volunteer Training” from 11:45-3:30 pm.  Registration begins at 11:45.  This training will be held at the Maple Avenue Middle School Library.  The training is appropriate for youth and young adults, ages 11-22.  Parents are welcome to join us on this MLK weekend.  Topics include:  the value of volunteering, why youth want to take part in social action, understanding the needs of our local Saratoga County community, volunteer opportunities close to home, the skill of brainstorming, how to create projects to help solve social problems, how to become  “Solutionaries”, skills of grants writing and how to make volunteer work both meaningful and match your interests and values.  This training will enhance the heart of Youth2 ‘s and MLK, Jr.’s mission of getting youth meaningfully involved in improving their world.   Pre-register by calling Beverly Lazar Davis, 518-281-9130.   Participation in the training can provide you 4 community service credit hours.

Teens can choose a variety of workshop sessions during the day on Restorative Justice, Critical Messaging, Empowerment through Improv, Leadership and the Medicine Wheel and Social Justice Animation.  The Arbor Hill Starlite Step team will perform and offer a stepping workshop and Albany’s Youth Fx will screen their documentary, “Which Way is Home“, followed by group discussion on teens and filmmaking.

“Which Way Is Home” is a project created by Albany High School students from the AHS Theater Ensemble in collaboration with Youth FX, Arts, Letters & Numbers, Albany School of Humanities, Capital Rep Theater and the National Coalition Building Institute.  Through beautiful and intimate vignettes, this film addresses the challenges faced by young people of color, immigrants and refugees as they navigate the challenges of racial injustice, language barriers, and misogyny.  “Which Way Is Home” originated as a live theater piece and then was adapted into a short film with the help of Youth FX filmmakers.

Lunch will be accompanied by an Open Mic session, as well as an Art projects show.  The World Awareness Children’s Museum (WACM), home to the largest collection of curated youth art from around the globe, will exhibit international artwork representing human rights issues.  The day culminates with all participants gathering, as we reflect, share and challenge ourselves to stand up and speak out for each other, changing the direction of our lives and the future of our communities.  Programming is free and open to the public.  For more information about the Youth2 Trailblazing Volunteer Training, please call Beverly Lazar Davis at 518-281-9130.    For more information on Seen AND Heard” please visit:  www.mlksaratoga.org/celebration or call Lezlie Dana at  518-852-3859.