Young people, or anyone for that matter–proposals are not just limited to youth, can fill out a proposal form with any idea they have, whether it’s a play production, organizing a workshop/class, or pursue a community art project–whatever it is! and we’ll help them make it happen. We work with youth to find funding, space, and assistance for their projects. The key to Railroad Street Youth Project is that the inspiration comes from young people. This ensures that our programs are relevant to the people we serve.

Youth Operational Board

The Youth Operational Board (YOB) is the core of RSYP, and has been since 2000. The YOB is comprised of young people (ages 14-25) who review and approve youth-inspired project proposals on a weekly basis and steer the direction of all RSYP programs. The Executive Board communicates with the YOB to ensure the organization’s youth-driven philosophy pervades every aspect of the organization.

Youth-inspired projects are RSYP’s lifeblood. RSYP invites young people to bring their own idea or inspiration to life, and gives them the support and funding to do so through the guidance of the YOB.

Recent youth-inspired project proposals include:

• Production of monthly all-youth music events
• Publication of a locally-developed skateboard magazine, which is now distributed in 10 U.S. states and 3 countries
• A community art day at the new RSYP drop-in center
• A trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum with aspiring graphic and graffiti artists
• Apprenticeship with a local music instrument maker to design and build an original drum set
• Production of an original play that brings together the friends and families of suicide victims to raise awareness offer support around mental health issues
• Assistance with launching and marketing a young person’s jewelry business
• Small business incubation for an up-and-coming eco-conscious production company

Past youth-inspired project proposals include:

• Project Native, a native plant greenhouse started by a 19 year old young woman, which is now a 501 c 3 organization with a 54-acre farm

Youth-inspired projects, the fundamental proposal process for the organization, invites young people to take an idea to action and gives them the support, guidance and funding to do so through the guidance of the YOB. The YOB is a board completely comprised of young people who review and approve proposals on a weekly basis.

If you are interested in joining the YOB or sharing an idea, please contact:

Jules Jenssen, YOB Coordinator at
jules@rsyp.org

If you have an idea for a project, visit our proposal page to submit online or download a proposal form.