Are you interested in building youth voice and engagement in your teen library programs? With support from the New Leaders - Michigan Council for Arts and Culture Affairs<http://www.michiganbusiness.org/community/council-arts-cultural-affairs/#funding-process>, the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor will provide its Youth Driven Spaces<http://neutral-zone.org/youth-driven-spaces/> Immersion program to 4 arts-based organizations across Michigan. Application and additional information can be found on line<http://goo.gl/VqMGBC>. These groups will receive training/coaching support (at no cost) to help them build youth/adult partnerships that increase teen engagement and voice in their art programs and organizations. The objective will be achieved by helping organizations build or expand a youth advisory council and through adoption of other youth driven strategies. Agencies who are interested in applying should: * Serve older youth (ages 13-19) * Be committed to supporting ways to increase youth voice and engagement in their programs and organization * May have or are interested in creating a youth council * Can identity and organize a leadership team of youth (8-15) and adult advisors (2-4) who can participate in an overnight retreat on November 19-20, 2016 Agencies participating in this initiative: * Receive all training and coaching services at no cost, including the 2-day October residential institute Agencies will cover their own travel cost to the November residential institute (in Jackson, MI) and an early spring summit (in Ann Arbor) If you are interested, please view and complete the on line application<http://goo.gl/VqMGBC> by September 21st, 2016. Agencies will be notified around October 1st. Additionally - if you want more information, we will be holding a webinar on Thursday, September 8th at 11:30 a.m. Registration details will be provided at the end of August. OR for additional questions, please contact John Weiss, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Neutral Zone (weiss@neutral-zone.org<mailto:weiss@neutral-zone.org>) ************** Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 517-335-8129 517-373-5700 f LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> Nourishing Michigan's Future...during school and during the summer! Find a Summer Food Service Program site nearest you and encourage Michigan's children to Meet Up and Eat Up! www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup<http://www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup> [image004]