Youth Leadership in Connections - CAT Youth

Angie Vecino and Chad Kramer Youth tell us they want to be respected for who they are now – not what they can become when they grow up. We believe that: Youth are resources to the community now. Youth desperately want to have their voices heard. And youth do want meaningful and caring relationships with adults. Therefore, youth are placed at the center of CONNECTIONS. Our goal is to create opportunities for youth to be more visible and for their contributions to be acknowledged. We are committed to increasing youth and adult partnerships. One way we do this is by inviting youth to become part of the Connections Initiative.

Connections is successful because of the contributions of Howard County youth over the years.  These change agents have stepped out and made their voices known.  They have played many roles such as:  youth trainers, presenters, co-chairs, event planners, and grant reviewers.  Their presence has inspired other youth to step out and be heard.

We would like to celebrate our Connections Youth of 2006-2007.  We had a formal celebration in May which brought Connections youth, their parents, community members, and Connections staff together in an upbeat gathering of recognition.  These youth, over a period of four years, helped create a movement in Howard County that will culminate in new roles for teens and young adults, bring new energy and ideas to the community and assure that children are honored for their contributions.  It just takes a few people to change a paradigm and our Connections youth have done this wholeheartedly!

Thank you for your dedication and passion to the Connections youth movement.  We hope you continue to use your incredible strengths and skills to build community wherever you go.

	"Connections has fostered my passion for community service and philanthropy, improved my effectiveness as a leader, and empowered me to be an agent of change.  I have grown so much as a person as a result of my involvement." Lauren Barr American University
Dorian Davis UMBC
	"Connections has helped me gain leadership skills and confidence that I will need as I go out into the world, while giving me the satisfaction of being able to give back to my community." Kriti Gandhi  McGill University
Ben Jackson Philadelphia University
	"I would have to say that being part of Connections has helped me grow as a leader, and has helped better my communication, speaking, and presentation skills. Daniel Johnson University of Maryland
Katie Quail Naval Academy
	Lindsay Stielper Villa Julie
Angie Vecino Howard Community College

We hope that next year's Connections youth continue along in the path you've set