Youth Matters has evolved throughout the years. Youth Matters was formerly known as the CNYCAP (Central New York Council on Adolescent Pregnancy) Education Committee. It was a separate committee with a separate meeting time and location. In order to better meet the needs of other youth agencies, the committee has evolved into a collaboration with existing agencies that work with youth. We are currently working with the ACT for Youth initiatives in Madison, Oswego and Jefferson Counties.

 

The committee’s primary focus is to assist people who work with youth, especially relating to pregnancy prevention. The committee and REACH CNY take a Youth Development/Strength and Asset Building approach. We often address other issues related to adolescent mental, emotional and physical health.

 

The general goals of the committee are to:

 

Over the past few years the committee has developed interactive packets for teachers and other people that work with youth to use. Some of the topics we covered were:

 

In the future we would like for the projects of the committee to be developed by the interests and concerns of the youth in our communities.

 

The Youth Matters Committee has a small budget that could be used to: