TE’s Mission:

Empowering youth and adults as

agents of positive change for

stronger, healthier communities

585-697-3464

jennifer@teenempowerment.org

Www.teenempowerment.org

The Center for Teen Empowerment

392 Genesee Street

Rochester, New York 14611

TE has sites in Rochester, Boston and Somerville, MA

“Thank you TE for giving me a voice

and chance to make a difference.” -Former TE Youth Organizer

“Because of TE, youth are being more

recognized as helpful in solving conflicts

in Rochester.” -Former TE Youth Organizer

In order to help youth create a citywide

movement to transform their surroundings,

Rochester needs Teen Empowerment sites

in neighborhoods around the city.

TE’s site in the Southwest quadrant is the

first of at least three Rochester sites that TE

is building toward. We hope you will join our

effort. Your financial support will enable

TE youth to uplift Rochester’s most

distressed neighborhoods with an

impact on the entire city.

Help TE grow in Rochester...

T E ’ s c u r r e n t e f f o r t s :

W h y Yo u t h O r ga n i z i n g …

Rochester challenges at a glimpse

9% graduation rate of Black males & 10% of Latino males—

worst in the nation with 46% overall rate (Schott Foundation)

A top 10 metro area for Black-White disparity in education,

homeownership, employment, and residential segregation

(Urban Institute)

#1 child poverty rate among mid-sized cities (ACTRochester)

95% of Rochester police officers live outside the city

(Democrat & Chronicle)

In 2012-13, Rochester city school students lost 54,619 days

of instruction (equal to 300 years) due to suspensions, 88%

for nonviolent behavior (Metro Justice, Advancement Project,

Teen Empowerment, Alliance for Quality Education)

Two of NYS’s highest teen birth rate zip codes are in Roches-

ter. Toxic stress in mothers has led to an infant mortality rate

on par with developing countries (Metro Council on Teen Poten-

tial, Children’s Agenda)

Homicide rate is 4 times the national average & 100 times

for Black males (Center for Public Safety Initiatives)

As youth build up their community and make

choices to improve their lives, institutions and

policies need to support their aspirations and

healthy development.

Solutions Not Suspensions

The Teen Empowerment Model™

is the product of more than 30 years’

experience engaging urban youth in examining

values, behavior patterns, and systems that hold

them back, and positioning these young leaders

to shift priorities and practices among their

peers, communities, and institutions

to help youth succeed.

The TE Model™ is based on beliefs that:

• Youth are NECESSARY ASSETS in

helping reduce violence and solving

difficult community problems

• Hiring youth organizers in neighborhoods

creates CHANGE where youth live by

shifting destructive attitudes and behaviors

toward hope, unity and transformation.

• Given high expectations and access to

real, constructive power, urban youth

become INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

among their peers and adults

Empowerment is most effective when

not only individual, but COLLECTIVE

with strengthened sense of connection

and direction

“TE has kept us on the straight path

with something to look forward to in life

—to not just improve ourselves, but

others and the community.”

-Former TE Youth Organizer

Invest in youth

To make real change, youth need adequate

financial support to implement their ideas.

Since 2003, 387 Rochester youth employed by TE

have engaged more than 8,500 of their peers,

adults and community leaders in

YOUTH-LED INITIATIVES:

Youth Peace Conferences

Community forums with public officials

Open mics, Citywide Vibes, Youth Brunches,

PeaceBQs, and other safe social gatherings

where youth use the performing arts to

share ideas and critical inspiring messages

Dialogues between youth from rival gangs,

youth with police officers, educators, and

suburban adults

I m p a c t

100% gained skills in leadership, public speaking,

group facilitation, &/or motivational performing arts

100% built relationships with youth and adults they

might not otherwise have known

97% learned how to speak to adults so that they

could be heard and understood

86% felt more comfortable disagreeing with their

friends or not following the crowd

86% used feedback skills they learned through TE

to resolve or prevent a conflict

86% felt more responsible for the quality of life in

their community

TE “youth organizers” are 14-20 years old. Over a

program year, they gain vital life and employment

skills. YO Impact Surveys show:

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Accept my gift to support TE’s important work:

Help TE Grow!

Your contribution will help us

build capacity to open sites in

neighborhoods around Rochester.

$30 $50 $100 $500

$1,000 $

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fundraising event or hosting a house party

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