Aiming to reach out to young students across the nation, three political and mentoring organizations, including Virginia's Youth Leadership Initiative, joined forces yesterday when leaders from the three groups met in Richmond.
The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), a program sponsored by the University's Center for Governmental Studies, formed a partnership with Virginia's Future and the program America's Promise, of which Gen. Colin Powell is the chairman.
Sabato, Powell and Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley met yesterday morning in Richmond to announce the formal partnership. "It is an honor for U.Va. to join forces with General Colin Powell," said Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor. "He's very interested in working with us in the future."
All three groups educate youths about politics and social issues, each emphasizing different aspects of political awareness.
The YLI, launched in 1998 by Sabato, promotes middle and high school students' interest in the political system through sponsoring mock elections, debates and peer mentoring programs in more than 650 schools.
The YLI's battle against apathy has already impacted Virginia children; last October it sponsored the most participated-in mock Internet election ever held. It also sponsors an innovative mentoring program, in which "it is the young people who are mentoring to their peers and the larger community to encourage participation in citizenship obligations," YLI Director Ken Stroupe said.
"The goal of the program is to rekindle interest and participation in the American electoral process," Sabato said.
While Powell's America's Promise program does not solely focus on politics, yesterday's partnership with the other two organizations will bring politics more into the program's agenda.
The national program is dedicated to educating children about American politics and society and to improving children's lives and futures. Powell has been the chairman of the organization since its founding in 1997.
Virginia's Future, sponsored by the Virginia Attorney General's Office, recruits volunteers from across the Commonwealth and places them in organizations that mentor, tutor and coach youth.
"Young people would participate and take an active interest in their community if only we as a community would show an interest in them and take the time to teach them the value of civic participation," Sabato said in his speech yesterday.
The YLI has partnered with other organizations in the past, including the Virginia Student/Parent Mock Election and the Presidential Classroom.
It has also received a $1 million grant from the federal government to aid its further development.
YLI director Ken Stroupe stressed a fundamental belief of the YLI.
"Politics can be positive," Stroupe said. "Involvement is key."
National pilots of the program have already sprung up in five other states. The YLI will begin full national expansion in November.
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