RECYCLES DAY 2024 – Saturday, October 19th, 9am.-12 pm. SPAC Parking Lot- West Side of Route 50

JOIN with Sustainable Saratoga and participate in Recycles Day. YouthSquared will be giving out fragrance free packets, 16 loads,. of Earth Breeze laundry detergent, eco sheet ultra concentrated to the first 100 participants! Try out these laundry sheets and protect our environment from more plastic and contribute to ocean cleanups!

PEANUT BUTTER POPUP III- PLEASE HELP US LESSEN FOOD INSECURITY!

On Saturday, November 2, from 10 am.- 4pm, at the 112 Spring Street Parking Lot in Saratoga Springs we will be accepting donations of peanut butter, jelly, rice, beans, soup, & mac & cheese. All donations will be distributed to deserving families of the Oakwood Food Pantry in Troy. Help families have staples for the holidays and for the long winter break.

Eco-Friendly Action Calendar- August, 2023

Use social media to encourage sustainability and promote environmental events/organizations
Make sustainability posters and put them up in your school/workplace
Write letters and make phone calls to elected representatives 
Host an event to clean up a littered area
Create your own organization to campaign on environmental issues
Talk to friends and family about their sustainability practices, or lack thereof
Inform others of the consequences their actions may have on the environment
Learn how to compost!  It is much better than throwing away certain foods and you can share how you do it with your friends and family

On Advocacy by Sahiba Jassal and Kenzie Hamelin
Illustration by Magdalene Maciag

Advocacy is an important tool in creating a sustainable community.
How can you advocate for the environment?

  • Use social media to encourage sustainability and promote environmental events/organizations
  • Make sustainability posters and put them up in your school/workplace
  • Write letters and make phone calls to elected representatives 
  • Host an event to clean up a littered area
  • Create your own organization to campaign on environmental issues
  • Talk to friends and family about their sustainability practices, or lack thereof
  • Inform others of the consequences their actions may have on the environment
  • Learn how to compost!  It is much better than throwing away certain foods and you can share how you do it with your friends and family
  • Explore ways to share your knowledge on the dangers of human-related environmental issues, such as invasive species impact on our waters, or micro plastics impact on our world

“HORSE RESCUE RECEPTION: SAVING EQUINES THROUGH EDUCATION & ART”
August 17th, 2023, 4-8pm, Spring Street Gallery

Youth Leader: Magdalene Maciag

Youth²– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org), is an organization that provides high school students with the opportunity and support to envision and implement projects to create social change. Hard-working Youth² board members can construct and execute their ideas, receiving funds and aid from the organization. By being afforded opportunities to engage directly with meaningful work in their communities, teens become inspired to continue their life-long passion for affecting change. 

The group’s upcoming project, “Horse Rescue Reception: Saving Equines Through Art & Education,” aims to raise money for a horse rescue in the capital region, Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation. This sanctuary allows upwards of 50 horses, many of which have raced in Saratoga, to live out their retirement in the comfortable freedom of Unbridled’s acres. Come help support their continued service to horses by attending our gallery reception.

Taking place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 17th at Spring Street Gallery, 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs, the reception will feature professional photos of the horses of Unbridled. The proceeds from the sale of these portraits will be given in full to the Foundation to help them continue their mission of activism and care for the wellbeing of horses. In addition, the reception will have a silent auction courtesy of many local businesses, live music, refreshments, and words from Unbridled’s founder, Susan Kayne. 

“Youth2 Celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a “Nice Cream Social” for its Past and Present Board Members, Donors and Community Helpers.

We are calling together Youth2 Board Members (past and present), donors, and community helpers to celebrate our 20th anniversary as an organization serving our community! Come see how the organization you’ve supported has grown and help us relive the good memories.

It’s a nut free event with ice cream and “nice” cream (frozen fruit only ice cream), guest speakers, gifts and a special activity facilitated by Stewart’s Shops. Start thinking of a name for an ice cream flavor that represents “ Youth2’s  mission- youth social action, or making our world a better place”. We’ll vote on the name at the event and Stewart’s will add it to their menu to commemorate our 20th Anniversary!- Eliza Krackeler & Ella Daley, Youth Leaders

Here are the details:

When:  Saturday, August 5th from 2-3:30pm
Where: 28 George Street in Saratoga Springs, NY
Families are welcome.  RSVP- 518-281-9130

“Local Students Work to Lessen Invasive Fish in NYS- Youth Leaders, Ella Daley, Nadia Mitic, Olivia Berkman, Roz Kurd– “Sustainability Fair” Skidmore College, Case Center- Sunday, April 16th, 10-4.

Emma Willard School offers a program called STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) 10, where students work in small groups on a project together for the entire school year. A group of motivated students including Ella Daley, Nadia Mitic, Olivia Berkman, and Roz Kurd focused on the research of invasive fish species found in our waters.  They studied the harmful actions of these fish and found out ways to help our community to increase awareness about this problem and to help take positive action. 

Research about the invasive fish revealed the damage they do to the environment and our local ecosystem. Through a program at Cornell CALS called “Fish Tracker”, the team will send collected water samples to test the eDNA to determine which invasive species are found in our regional waters. In addition to testing the water the team decided to raise awareness of limiting the spread of invasive species. 

Invasive species are non-native so they don’t have natural predators to regulate their quick, growing population and they diminish the food supply for the native fish.  One of the current issues is the Round Goby fish, which is already in New York waters. The Round Goby is a small fish so it is not an issue of being a top predator but is a problem because they eat native fish eggs, specifically the smallmouth bass.  The Smallmouth Bass only lays eggs once a year and the Round Goby is diminishing their population by inhibiting the reproduction success rate. Another big current issue is that of the Snakehead fish which is a non-native top predator, which kills and eats all the native species. The team wants to emphasize the impending issue of the Blue Catfish to New York State. If these fish got into New York waters, their diet of mussels, which filter our waters, would lessen the purity and clarity of our waters. 

The student team came up with the idea to sell merchandise that raises awareness and all the proceeds will be donated to the Natural Heritage Trust. The Natural Heritage Trust works on the preservation of native species and one of the ways they do this is limiting the spread of invasive species. The team proposed their idea to Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (youthsquared.org) and wrote a grant proposal for financial support to design and purchase merchandise.  They received a $500 grant.  The merchandise is a canvas bag with a custom design done by Ana VanPlew, one of the students at Emma Willard School. The team plans on raising awareness at their school and at the Sustainability Fair on April 16th, from 10am-4pm, at Skidmore College in Case Center.

Come join us to learn more and help take social action to keep our waters healthy!

“PopUP for Medical Supplies”- Youth Leaders, Luna McDermott and Eliza Krackeler
MaryLou Whitney Pavilion, Gate 16, Saturday, April 22, 12-2
Written by Luna McDermott, 518-495-3352
Poster by Eliza Krackeler, 518-226-9649

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) is an organization, founded in 2003 with the goal of initiating positive social action in our local, national and even global communities. The Youth2 Advisory Board is composed of youth and adults who come together to brainstorm ideas to positively impact our community and vote on grants to assist with social action proposed by other Saratoga County youth up to age 22.  These grants are youth-designed and youth-led and can help people all over the world. Through this, youth are able to see their direct impact, encouraging them to continue doing good.

On April 22nd, Youth2 will be hosting a Pop-UP, from 12-2 P.M. at the Mary Lou Whitney Pavilion at Gate 16 to benefit the backstretch workers of the Saratoga Race Course. A new clinic at the Saratoga Race Course will open in May to assist backstretch workers and provide them with medical care and other necessities. Our Pop-UP seeks to donate supplies to be utilized and handed out at the track, in collaboration with the Backstretch Employee Service Team of NY, Inc. Items requested and most utilized include band aids, sunscreen, bug repellant, antibiotic ointment, Qtips, hand sanitizer, chap stick, tick removers, Vaseline, hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, and deodorant, packaged snacks (granola bars, crackers, etc.) and whole first aid kits. Please ensure these items are not used. 

Gate 16 is the first gate on the right after Henning Road or the last gate on the left coming from downtown, on Union Avenue. The Saratoga Race Course is across the street.   There is a crosswalk at Gate 16.  The pavilion will be right in front. Signs will be put out on Union Avenue to help show the way.  The drop-off will be Covid-19 safe and outdoors, and Youth2 members will be there to assist with drop-off and receive the items. 

In 2021, Youth2 hosted a Pop-UP for sanitary hygiene products. One of the organizations we donated to was the BEST Clinic, at the Belmont Race Track, which benefited the backstretch workers. The hardworking backstretch workers are a key part of the smoothly functioning racetrack, and giving back to them for all they do is a nice gesture. Youth2 would like to thank the Saratoga Race Track, NYRA Security, Nancy Underwood and Sheriza Serravanto for their assistance and for allowing us to hold the Pop-UP onsite! Lastly, thank you to the Stewart’s Holiday Match Grant, for their continuing help to fund our Pop-UPs with their generous donation to Youth2.

Eco-Friendly Actions Calendar– January 2023
Youth2 presents the 2023 “Eco-Friendly Actions” calendar to promote living in a sustainable manner for generations to come. Youth2 will post monthly on Facebook, Instagram and other local digital platforms simple lifestyle adjustments one can make to give back to our environment.

The organization has worked to create a methodical monthly plan for the upcoming year. Early in 2023, the calendar explores themes of land use, upcycling, and trees, but as the year progresses gardening, recycling, water use, and advocacy are also discussed.

Youth2 hopes to call attention to addressing practical worldly issues (protection of water, trees, etc.) in a manageable, doable and not overwhelming way. The purpose of this calendar is to educate more people in the Saratoga Springs region on easy environmental actions that can be accomplished to help to protect our environment.  Through community action we can contribute to a better future. Illustration by Magdalene Maciag.

February 2023 Eco-Friendly Calendar- Jack and Leila on Land Use, Illustration by Magdalene Maciag
As the population of the world grows bigger, it’s important that we utilize our land sufficiently and efficiently, both to service our people and our environment. Almost 90% of the land that’s been cleared in the Amazon is used for cattle farming. By eating more seafood and seaweed, which can be grown in the underutilized open ocean, we can drastically reduce the impact on the environment and on our land. Other ways we can give the biosphere more breathing room and the resources it needs are:
-Ask your landlord if you can plant a flower or vegetable garden in unused spaces.
-Start a community garden.
-Create a “harvest home” and plant a vegetable garden in nontraditional settings on your property.
-Plant plants that bring butterflies or help feed the Monarch with Milkweed, especially in urban sites. Plant a “pollinator garden”.
-Think about eating more of a vegetarian diet.
-Take a “garbage walk” and clean up your community.
-Shred leaves and leave them to nurture your soil.
-Be careful not to suffocate tree growth.
-Plant trees. Check out TreeToga (https://sustainablesaratoga.org/tree-toga/)
-Initiate a river clean up.
-Install and paint a rain barrel.
-Move to urban areas and share resources of healthcare, education, and food so that the natural environment can have more space to breathe.
-Plant native plants.
-Use non-toxic nutrients so we don’t poison our land.
-Start beekeeping.
-Think of solar energy.  Take advantage of the sunlight.
-Bike more. Support new biking and walking paths.
-Advocate for eco-friendly buildings in your community.
-Research environmental bills and get involved.

“As climate change and severe weather is happening all around us, the best help that you can offer a young person is to give them actions that they can do to help save our environment. Work on projects together!”

Eco-Friendly Actions Calendar– March 2023
Luna and Sam on Upcycling
Illustration by Magdalene Maciag

Upcycling is defined as taking something no longer in use and giving it a new function. It differs from recycling in that the materials are not broken down; the item is instead repurposed or given a new home. An example of upcycling could be taking an old t-shirt and cutting it into strips to make a rug or shattering a glass plate to make a mosaic. Upcycling can take many different forms, but all play a part in lessening waste and are a fun way to cheaply and creatively make something new out of something old.  Some ideas on how to upcycle things you can find in your house, at a garage sale or in various places are as follows:

  • Use old shoes, bricks (with holes), jars, bottles, hats or helmets, or even old toys such as a truck to plant flowers or various plants in. This is an easy way to add some color and greenery to your life, while saving money on expensive pots.
  • Find any container, and I mean any! Make sure it is safe to be heated and use it to make a DIY candle. All that is needed is wax and a wick, which could be purchased, or repurposed from another candle. Melt the wax and pour into the container, sticking the wick in after.  If you have children who love to color with crayons….you know that crayons tend to easily break. Instead of throwing them away, remove the wrappers, and melt them together to create a rainbow crayon!
  • Make a headband, hair band or bracelet out of old fabric. Simply cut the strips to your ideal length/width and braid together.
  • Socks always tend to disappear, so instead of wearing mismatched ones, or throwing the sock away….create DIY puppets with old mismatched socks. All you need is a sock, some rice or fluff to fill it and a marker to draw a face.
  • If you have old clothing lying around you can dye it, use it as rags instead of using paper towels, or if you have the skills, sew or embroider it to make a “new” clothing item. Old clothes can be sewn and made into oven mitts, stuffies, quilts, aprons, bags, placemats, etc.
  • Fairy lights inside mason jar/bottle can make a cool lamp.
  • Liter soda bottle can be made into a swinging bird feeder.
  • Plastic bags can be cut up and crocheted/knit into a bag.

Eco-Friendly Actions Calendar– April 2023
Sahiba and Peter on Trees
Illustration by Magdalene Maciag
Trees are so important to our planet. They provide us, and the Earth, with food, oxygen, shelter, medicine, biodiversity, protection, and so much more. They’re essential to our everyday life, but they’re in trouble. Around 15 billion trees are lost each year to deforestation. We need to help our trees not hurt them. Here are ways to help the trees, and in turn, help our earth:

• Plant a tree.

• Help out or donate to organizations that are fighting to protect the trees.

• Use less paper. Instead of using disposable cups, invest in a reusable cup. Get used books or eBooks as opposed to new, paper books. Take paperless notes and use paperless documents in the workplace (digital)

• Use cloth. Instead of buying paper towels, use a cloth towel. Bring a reusable cloth bag to the grocery store.

• Cut back on meat consumption. Animals raised in factories need space to graze and that space is often made by cutting down forests. If we don’t eat as much meat, the demand for meat decreases.

• Use products with recycled packaging to reduce single use tree based packaging. • Collect old pieces of paper (envelopes, extra paper, junk mail) to use as scrap paper instead of using a new sheet.

• Avoid using paper plates and napkins at your home and parties.

• Buy firewood produced by a company certified by the FSC (the council in charge of global forest management).

• Spread awareness. Whether it be among friends or through social media, let people know about problems regarding our environment!

Making Peace: Flags For MLK Saratoga Weekend 2023

Come join this family friendly Art as Action day to create your own statement of things that we hope for!  We’re stitching up patterns and gathering fabrics this week to be ready for your creative visions!  What are some words that make YOU feel positive and happy today? How would YOU like to make your home, school, or anywhere on this planet better? What do YOU want to tell other people that will make things nicer? What do YOU think peace looks like? Think about your values of the following: Interpersonal Relations, Self-Esteem, Gender, Food Security, Social Justice, Family Values, Lessening Poverty, Quality Education, Saving Our Environment, Good Health and Well-being. How do we build peace?

MAKING PEACE:  Flags
MLK Day of Service
9:30-12 PM Jan 16, 2023
United Methodist Church
Saratoga Springs NY

Come make your own personal Peace Flag!  At the Youth Squared Workshop Monday Jan 16.th, 9:30-12 PM, United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave. Saratoga Springs you will have fabric and other materials, paints, patterns, helpers, and ideas to make your very own flag.  You can create a flag that represents something that you value.  Whether you march with it in a rally or hang it in a window or on a wall, you can celebrate and educate with a positive symbol or word!  Come join in the conversation about what really matters, and how we can use our Art as resistance to injustice using positive words and actions.  Join Youth Squared and others to create the beautiful world we want to see; take a photo of your flag at home and share it on Instagram!  Participants are welcome to bring personal pictures or materials you would like to incorporate in your design!  Family friendly!  Bring a smock or big shirt to protect your clothing if you can!

Peanut Butter Pop-UP: Lessening Food Scarcity in the Community
Written by Eliza Krackeler, Youth Leader
Poster by Samantha Dodds, Youth Leader

The community volunteer organization Youth² has a vision for the holidays that includes peanut
butter and other non-perishable foods. Many people in the Capital Region and beyond are
affected by food scarcity and need items to fill their pantry shelves, especially during the
holiday season.
Youth² is partnering with Shanna Goldman, the director of Oakwood Community Center in Troy,
New York, to provide food for families in need in the cold days to come. It’s customary that 35-
50 families come in once a week for food from the Oakwood pantry. Many families are saying
that there are shortages in the food banks of non-perishable goods. This event aims to help
with that.
The pop-up is happening on Wednesday, December 14 th from 3-6pm at 112 Spring Street.
Youth² is accepting all donations of peanut butter, jelly, mayonnaise, tuna, beans, white rice,
and macaroni and cheese. These items are to be funneled to Oakwood Community Center for
distribution for families in need.
With the holidays fast approaching, this event is more important than ever. The Peanut Butter
pop-up hopes to be able to bring the community and the greater Capital Region together
through volunteer action for the holidays.

Youth2 ‘s Amazing Yard Sale to Help Our World
Written by Jack Sweeney Benzon, Youth Leader
Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org), is an organization where youth and adults collaboratively brainstorm and execute ideas to help their community. Youth2 allows youth to take part in direct social action. Young people are able to see their impact on others, and it encourages them to continue doing good. Youth2 donates grant money to fund both existing and unique youth-led and youth-designed projects, helping locally, nationally, and globally.
The yard sale will take place at 27 Excelsior Springs Ave, Saratoga Springs and parking will be available. The sale will be open from Friday, October 14th to Sunday, October 16th from 9am to 4pm each day. On Sunday from 2pm to 4 pm, items are free or with donation. We have medical, office, household supplies, musical items, travel aids, new Christmas and holiday fare, sports clothes and equipment, tools, purses, hats, mittens, Women’s and Men’s clothing, baby items, bedding and a lot more! Many items can be re-gifted and re-purposed!
Youth2 plans to give all proceeds from this event to the Brigid Alliance- a referral-based service that provides people seeking abortions with travel, food, lodging, child care and other logistical support; the National Alliance on Mental Illness- NY Chapter –  a nationwide, grassroots mental health organization offering educational programs, advocacy for individuals and families and operates a toll-free helpline; New York State’s SNUG (GUNS spelled backwards) Street Outreach Gun Violence Prevention-  one of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice System’s 10 statewide programs aimed at reducing and preventing shootings and violence and the Pitney Meadow Community Farm Trail.
Youth2 believes in yard sales because they help people find cool and needed items, while also saving money. Yard sales help the environment by not buying new things. By buying from our yard sale, you can get early Christmas or birthday gifts, household necessities, and unique items such as dishware, sports equipment or old technology, while also supporting our charities. We also have many unusual pieces of clothing, handmade fabric art, and handbags which, by buying second hand, can help our world veer away from big fast fashion companies that underpay workers.

“YOUTHSQUARED PARTICIPATES IN SUSTAINABLE SARATOGA’S RECYCLE’S DAY 2022- SAT, OCTOBER 1ST

Eliza Krackeler, Youth2 Board Member is taking a leadership role in our upcoming invitation to Sustainable Saratoga’s “Recycle’s Day” on October 1st, 2022.

Our Board has chosen to distribute 100 rolls of Kitchen + HOME Bamboo Towels that can replace up to 6 months of paper towel use.

Join us for Sustainable Saratoga’s “Recycle’s Day” on October 1st!

Youth2 is reaching out to the community, asking YOU to make a difference starting with using Kitchen + HOME’s reusable bamboo towels. One roll equals 60 standard paper towels. They can be used in the house, on your car or pet, and are washing machine safe (1 towel can be washed up to 120x). They come from a sustainable certified organic bamboo source and are stronger and more durable than regular paper towels. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world and is grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or irrigation. That makes this an economical, eco-friendly, versatile, and reusable alternative to paper towels!

Youth2 is proud to be giving out free Bamboo Towels to the first 100 people coming to “Recycle’s Day”.

Written by Eliza Krackeler, Youth Leader

“START-UP FOR SCHOOL” COMMUNITY CARE POPUP- AUGUST 6TH, 2022

Written by Luna McDermott, Youth Leader

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org), is an organization where youth and adults collaboratively brainstorm and execute ideas to help their community. Youth2 allows youth to take part in direct social action in their community. Young people are able to see their impact on others, and it encourages youth to continue doing good. Youth2 donates grant money to fund both existing and unique projects, helping local, national, and global communities.

This August, Youth2 will be hosting a Pop-UP, “Start-UP for School” to collect school supplies. These items are essential to kick start a child’s year in school and allow them to have the full potential to succeed. According to the New York State Office of the State Comptroller, the total out-of-pocket cost for parents in New York State in 2010 purchasing school supplies was estimated to be $123 million, not including time and fuel spent obtaining the supplies. Furthermore, when families have multiple children with multiple lists of school supplies, costs can quickly rise and many families struggle to meet the demands of the lists. Youth2  is trying to make sure that children can start school without the worry of not having what they need and not having the burden of purchasing these necessary but expensive supplies.

The Pop-UP will take place on Saturday, August 6th at 112 Spring Street parking lot, Saratoga Springs, from 12-2 pm. It will be a Covid safe drop-off, rain or shine. The supplies needed are below. New supplies are preferred but supplies that are in excellent condition will be accepted as well.

Pencil boxes, plastic dividers, backpacks, spiral notebooks- college and wide ruled, composition notebooks, wide ruled & college ruled paper, pencil pouches, crayons, highlighters, Kleenex, dry erase markers, plastic folders, kids scissors, markers, pencils, pens, glue sticks, binders: 1,2, or 3inch and Gift cards to Staples, Target, Walmart etc. to give children the freedom to purchase school supplies catering to their needs.

Donations will be given to the following agencies: Wellspring, Project Lift at Franklin Community Center, and SNAC Pack and distributed to the families that they work with. Youth2 thanks the community for giving children the opportunity to learn to their full potential.

As a high-schooler, I understand that purchasing school supplies is a stressful time for all. Not having to worry about obtaining funds to purchase my school supplies has opened my eyes to how stressful it would be for children to manage the stress of starting school and the work that comes with it along with the challenge of finding a place to obtain school supplies. If this Pop-UP could lessen just one child and their families’ stress, that would be enough.

Our “WALK WITH UKRAINE”- Successfully raised $8,396.00 for “Save the Children- Ukraine”.

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) has successfully completed the awareness and fundraising effort of the “Walk With Ukraine” to benefit the refugee children of Ukraine.  Our final total from the sensitive, giving and generous community to give to “Save the Children- Ukraine” is $8,396.00. It takes a village to help another village. Thank you, Thank you.  Thank you. Please note that additional donations are being accepted!

“WALK WITH UKRAINE”- SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH, 2022, 9-1 PM.

Written by Eliza Krackeler

“Youth2– Youth Helping Youth” (www.youthsquared.org) is a youth philanthropic organization, a Field of Interest Fund under the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Youth2 seeks to encourage young people to participate in meaningful community service work.  The participants of Youth2 serve on the Advisory Board and learn leadership and philanthropic skills.  Youth2 helps to fund and give guidance to social action projects that are proposed, approved and led by young people.  Youth2 is also committed to connecting youth to already existing community service projects.

Our Youth2 Advisory Board is mostly comprised of passionate young people who constantly seek to improve the world through environmental action and human connection. Youth2 constantly looks to identify and respond to a need in the immediate community and beyond. Currently, the Advisory Board seeks to raise money to send to the refugees of Ukraine.

Our solution lies in the “Walk With Ukraine”. This is a community event on Saturday, June 4th, 9-1, in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs to raise money and awareness for the cause. Participants are asked to wear blue and gold. They will collect pledges and a prize will be given to the top 5 people who collect the most. The event will consist of a walk around the perimeter of Congress Park 3 times to make a 2-mile walk. Pledge Forms can be requested from Youth2 at  or from   Register and turn in the funds you raise at the event on June 4th, 9-10 am. All proceeds will go to “Save The Children Ukraine”.

Tables and raffles will be run by youth members of Youth2 include artistic handmade items such as Sunflower Greeting Cards, hand painted garden rocks and paperweights, bracelets, hair bands, and flag pins.

But that is not all- there will be a craft table for youth to make their own Ukrainian Flags, Sunflowers and Ukrainian Stars; a Walker Nourishment Table with free snacks for the walkers, COVID safety table, Face Painting; Photo Opportunity Against a Sunflower Backdrop; a Bead Stand and a Musical stage with sounds of Ukraine and other musical and storytelling guests.

We would like the youth groups in our city to come together, raise money together and walk together in the center of our city. We want to engage the Key Club and NHS of our high schools, church and synagogue youth groups. We want a fundraising event that is healthy, fun and meaningful!  This could be a year-end show of how youth can help in our troubled world today!  Consider walking and help to make a great turn out for this worldly service.

BUNDLES OF BLANKETS COMMUNITY CARE POPUP- FEBRUARY, 2022

Written by Amelia DeLuke, Youth Leader

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth is holding a blanket donation drive of new and gently used cotton, wool, fleece, and acrylic blankets. This first Community Care PopUP of 2022, “Bundles of Blankets” will be organized by Youth2 and held on Saturday, February 12th from 12- 2 pm, snow or shine. There will be a COVID-safe drop off at 112 Spring Street Parking Lot (entry on Court Street) in Saratoga Springs.  This event will help supply blankets to those in need so that they can stay warm. The blankets will be distributed to Wellspring, BEST (Backstretch) and the Franklin Community Center.

During this Valentine’s Day season, it’s important to warm another’s heart by donating a blanket! Have your young son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter pick out a blanket that is not being used in your home or buy a new blanket.  Help them understand that on Valentine’s Day, they too, can participate in community giving and make a neighbor’s heart warm!

Youth2 would like to thank our partners in this event. We’d like to thank Stewart’s Shops for underwriting our Community Care PopUPs.  We would like to give a shout out to Cudney’s Launderers and Dry Cleaners for supporting Youth2 in washing and drying the gently used donated blankets. 

Youth2 PopUP events are amazing and creative ways to help our community. They engage young children in helping the community. Young people can learn and understand the importance of helping their neighborhoods be better places one small step at a time.  By showing respect for our community and learning to show respect and kindness towards one another, we can all join together and make a huge impact. If we help each other in more diverse and creative ways, we become better together.

Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth is an organization based in Saratoga Springs (under the care of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region) that consists of kids and adults joining together to help make a brighter future in their community and beyond. Youth2 is and always has always been committed to giving back to the community and giving support to help children turn their unique community service project ideas into realities. Youth2 reviews local and global community service grant proposals written by youth, up to age 22, and gives ideas and advice to them about their projects, distributes funds and helps to educate the community about volunteer action. Youth will learn about leadership and teamwork while on the Advisory Board. Youth2 is reaching out to community programs in and around Saratoga Springs who have a need and who would like a Community Care PopUP of their own.  


518 Profiles Magazine- JANUARY, 2022

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth is highlighted in this winter issue, article and photos by Lawrence White, pages 12-17. https://issuu.com/ininkny/docs/2022_january_518_profiles_magazine/14

“AND WHO WALKED THIS GROUND”- JANUARY 15, 2022

Youth2 (www.youthsquared.org) is looking forward to partnering with Dr. Joe Bruchac on MLK Saratoga Weekend hosting, And Who Walked This Ground-Saturday, January 15th, 11-12 noon, a free program, as part of MLK Saratoga’s Annual Dr. King Celebration Weekend.  

Participants will meet together at the Congress Spring in Congress Park and will look at the history and traditions of the Native people, past and present, and their connections to the Saratoga area and Congress Park.

For more information:  www.mlksaratoga.org

Stereoview photograph by E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. of the Indian Camp in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, NY circa 1880’s. Two Native women (likely Mohawk or Oneida), one with clubbed hair and one with a ribbon skirt, stand beside an open air stall with craftwork displayed on the table and hanging from the awnings. Courtesy of the Joki Collection, Saratoga Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library.

COMMUNITY CARE POPUP EVENT- NOVEMBER 2021
“GRATEFUL GRAINS”-

Kenzie Hamelin, Youth Leader

Youth2 “Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) is hosting our 9th Community Care Pop-UP- Grateful Grains, a cereal box collection drive. All collected cereal will be donated to families in need by distributing to food pantries in Hadley-Luzerne, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs.  This food item will help families over the Thanksgiving break. The underlying support of Stewart’s Shops, with their amazing generosity and funding for our POP-UPs is much appreciated.

This event will take place on Saturday, November 20th from 12:00-2:00 pm at Camp Stomping Ground, 3430 Boyhaven Road, Middle Grove, NY. At the end of the collection drive we will line up the cereal boxes and prepare our Domino Effect Finale. 

Youth2 Pop-UPs are a great way to help to contribute to a caring community. All of Youth2‘s Pop-UPs are the perfect way to give to your community while coming together to make an impact on the lives of other people. This is a fun way to lessen food insecurity for local families. Youth2 wants to provide families with food over the Thanksgiving break when many school-aged children rely on school meals. This is a perfect way to involve young children in doing good deeds- have them pick out their favorite healthy cereal (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/15-healthiest-cereals) to bring to other kids in need. Youth2 will also be donating unrefrigerated boxed milk to accompany the collected cereal.

Camp Stomping Ground’s mission is to inspire the next generation of radically empathetic decision makers. Founded in 2015 Stomping Ground is an independent non-profit overnight summer camp. Each summer campers partner with staff to build a community based on humble curiosity, restorative justice, personal responsibility and unbounded creativity. Stomping Ground is located in Middle Grove NY on 70 acres of wild land where kids learn about themselves

We appreciate the generosity of Camp Stomping Ground who has given us the COVID-safe space to host the November Community Care Pop-UP.  We hope that people will come out to this beautiful property to be a part of our event!

            Youth2 is an organization based in Saratoga County made up of both youth and adults working together to improve the lives of people around the world. Youth2 provides financial support and guidance to youth and helps them turn their social action ideas into an impactful reality, both locally and globally. To volunteer in your community and make a difference, contact us and we will help you help others!


Check out this wonderful article about the Community Care PopUP’s-
Written by Eli King Conklin | September 13, 2021
https://www.roohanrealty.com/blog/youthsquared/

COMMUNITY CARE POPUP EVENT- OCTOBER 2021
COMMUNITY COMPOSTING CHALLENGE –

Olivia Venditti, Youth Leader

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) will begin a Community Composting Challenge.   On Saturday, October 2nd, from 9-12 pm. at the SPAC parking lot on the west side of Route 50, Sustainable Saratoga will sponsor its 5th Recycles Day 2021.  Youth2 will have a COVID-safe station at the event.

Youth2 wants to encourage our community to separate food scraps, because keeping food waste out of landfills can lessen significant greenhouse gas emissions in our environment.   It is very easy and you don’t need to have a compost pile in your backyard because you can bring it to a community compost collection site at our Saratoga Springs Saturday and Wednesday Farmer’s Market!  Youth2 will be providing information on how to easily separate food scraps, why it is so important to do, where to bring the food scraps and other composting resources.

In order to begin this effort Youth2 is offering a FREE stainless Steel kitchen compost bin with charcoal filters to the first 100 people who want to participate in this challenge. If you would like to begin to separate your food scraps, stop by our Recycles Day station and we will hand you your new compost bin and the educational materials that go with it.  You don’t have to get out of the car!

Separating food scraps can help our world heal.  Gathering and collecting food waste is safe.  According to DrawDown, The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming to reduce carbon and methane emissions by reducing food waste is #3 on the list of what we can do. 

If you ask yourself, What can I do that is simple and effective to help reduce our climate crisis?  Separating food scraps is a good answer!  Let’s work together to make this challenge exponential:  Get 3 of your friends to begin separating their food scraps!  Send pictures to and we will place them on our website! Let’s all work together!

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth is an organization based in Saratoga Springs made up of youth and adults committed to improving the lives of youth.  Youth2 encourages students to get involved in local and global volunteer efforts.  Youth2 builds philanthropic and leadership skills as youth serve on the Advisory Board making decisions.   Youth2 provides financial and thoughtful support to unique social action projects proposed, composed and led by youth and helps young people turn their community service ideas into a reality.

COMMUNITY CARE POP-UP EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 2021-
“SONGS FOR SOCIAL ACTION- CANADIAN ROAD POET SCOTT COOK”

Written by Zuzu Booth

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) is so excited to hear Canadian Road Poet, Scott Cook (http://www.scottcook.net) perform at Caffe Lena! The concert is on Wednesday, September 29th, from 7-9 pm. There will also be a live interview with Scott Cook during the intermission.  We plan to host a bake sale to serve refreshments for the show.

The concert will be both in-person and live streamed:  In-person at Caffe Lena: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-squared-presents-scott-cook-songs-of-social-action-social-justice-tickets-160013230881.

Live Stream Ticket Only: https://caffelena.tv/programs/live-scott-cook?categoryld=94013

Ticket sales are on the Caffe Lena website. So please take a second to secure your tickets now. 

Youth2 “Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) builds youth philanthropic and leadership skills. This event is not only a benefit for Youth2, but will prove to be an evening that will help people increase their thoughts about social change. By listening to Scott Cook’s social action driven songs, the audience is sure to be inspired to think differently about important issues. Caffe Lena concert with Scott Cook, will benefit Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org)  & All Hands and Hearts https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/our-programs/– a non-profit organization designed to effectively and efficiently acknowledge the immediate and long-term needs of people impacted by disasters. They are currently working on Hurricane Ida Relief, California Wildfires, Australia Fires, Hurricane Dorian Relief, Peru and Mexico Earthquake Relief, the Guatemala Hurricane Relief, and the Michigan Flood.

Albertan troubadour Scott Cook toured almost incessantly across Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere from 2007 until 2020, when the pandemic made living in a van less appealing.  While averaging 150 shows and a dozen summer festivals every year, he also managed to release seven albums of straight-talking, keenly observant verse along the way.  His latest collection Tangle of Souls comes packaged in a cloth-bound, 240-page hardcover book of road stories and ruminations, equal parts introspection and insurrection.  Scott has been twice nominated for Canadian Folk Music Awards (Emerging Artist in 2013 and English Songwriter of the Year in 2017), won the Folk and Acoustic category in the UK Songwriting Contest in 2013 and 2020, won the Folk and Americana category in the 2020 Great American Song Contest, was a Kerrville New Folk Finalist in 2018 and 2021, and was Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s Most Wanted Artist in 2019.  He still believes, more than ever, that songs can change your life, and your life can change the world.

“Scott Cook’s seventh ‘love letter’ to the world is all strings and beauty, a 12-song agnostic endorsement of love over fear…  It doesn’t condemn, it summons to one fire…  Of all his records this one simply feels the best. “Fish Griwkowsky, The Edmonton Journal

“Damn, this is a gorgeous album. Scott Cook’s voice — vocally and lyrically — is as clear-eyed, optimistic, and straightforward as ever…  Tangle of Souls is the medicine we could all use right now.” “Rachel Cholst, Adobe and Teardrops

“He sings his heart and soul, and in doing so lets light flood into your own… Truly one of Woody Guthrie’s children.” –RnR Magazine—


Scott Cook
prairie balladeer, awestruck vagabond

Bio/Onesheet: https://scottcook.net/files/1110341/scott-cook-bio-2021.pdf

Phone: (780) 695-3474
Website: http://www.scottcook.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scottcooksongsInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/scottcooksongsBandcamp: http://scottcook.bandcamp.com
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/scottcooksongs

New single “Say Can You See” from Tangle of Souls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxxjLu0TKF0

COMMUNITY CARE POP-UP EVENTS: AUGUST 2021-
“EMERGENCY AND SAFETY KITS”

Written by Ella Daley

Youth2- Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) has partnered with Rebuilding Saratoga and will be doing a charity drop off to support safety in our local community. Rebuilding Saratoga is an organization whose mission is repairing homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives. Rebuilding Saratoga provides critical home repair and accessibility modification for low- income Saratoga County homeowners. This is Youth2‘s 6th Community Care Pop-UP Event- Emergency and Safety Kits. A station will be set up at the 112 Spring Street parking lot (entrance off Court Street) on Friday, August 27th from 3-5pm to receive donations of kitchen fire extinguishers, 10-yr. smoke detectors, CO2 Detectors, night-lights, First Aid Only kits and small travel hand sanitizers. The Pop-UP will happen rain or shine and be a COVID-safe drop-off. 

    Youth2 is an organization based in Saratoga made up of both youth and adults working together to improve the lives of people around the world. Youth2 provides financial and thoughtful support to youth and helps them turn their social action  ideas into an impactful reality, both locally and globally.

COMMUNITY CARE POP-UP EVENTS: JULY 2021-
“FEMININE HYGIENE DRIVE”

Written by Luna McDermott

A local organization Youth2– Youth Helping Youth will be holding another Community Care Pop-UP for Feminine Hygiene Products. Many women struggle to get vital products because they aren’t covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) and instead they have to use their own money to buy the products. Youth2 is trying to help out by collecting pads and tampons and distributing them between local organizations CAPTAIN, Wellspring, and the Oakwood Community Center Food Pantry to help the women who need these products.

The above donations will be donated to different local organizations such as CAPTAIN, (Community Action Programs for Teens and Interested Neighbors) which takes in runaway teens and gives them a place to stay, food and more necessities while they figure out what to do next. Another organization that will be receiving the products is Oakwood Community Center Food Pantry in Troy, which distributes food, hygiene products and more throughout their community to help people in need. The last organization is Wellspring in Saratoga Springs, which takes in women and children that are victims of domestic abuse to help them start their life again and provide shelter. We are also looking for a contact to link us to a correctional facility or jail that is in need of feminine hygiene products for their incarcerated women.

If you want to help by purchasing feminine hygiene products (boxes of pads or tampons) or $5 gift cards from Price Chopper, CVS, Target or Wal-Mart, you simply need to drop them off at the 112 Spring Street parking lot on Saturday, July 10th (rain or shine) from 2 P.M through 4 P.M. It will be a Covid19-safe drop-off. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated by Youth2 and the different shelters and organizations that receive these crucial products. Youth2 would also like to extend a huge thank you to Stewart’s Shops for their support, funding, generosity and kindness with this month’s Pop-UP.

Youth2 is an organization located in Saratoga Springs that is comprised of youth and adults working together with the goal of helping out their community both locally and globally. Youth2 has always been committed to giving financial and thoughtful support to help interested youth turn their unique social action ideas into realities. The organization during COVID has hosted different Community Care Pop-Ups with the goal of helping out needed items during this tumultuous time. If you are interested in the mission of Youth2, previous/upcoming events or would simply like more information please go to www.youthsquared.org. 

COMMUNITY CARE POP-UP EVENTS: JUNE 2021-
“TOMATO,TOMOTO, TOMORROW”

Written by Mackenzie Hamelin

Youth2 “Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) has teamed up Dehn’s Flowers & Gifts (who donated 50 potted plants), Sunnyside Gardens (who donated 50 pots), and Ballston Spa Agway (who donated discounted potting soil) in order to give away 100 potted cherry tomato plants to people in our community.  The underlying support of Stewart’s Shops, with their amazing generosity and funding of our June Community Care Pop-UP Event-Tomato, Tomoto, Tomorrow!has made this possible.  This is Youth2‘s 4th Pop-UP.

Free Cherry Tomato plants will be given away to all interested people on Wednesday, June 2nd, 4-6 pm at the Jefferson Terrace Housing Maintenance Parking Lot- (take right onto Worth Street from Jefferson Street then turn left on the street with the Laundry, go to the end of the building on right, to parking lot entry on the right).  A second Giveaway time will be on Saturday, June 5th, 11:30-1:30 outside the Soup Kitchen on 24 Circular Street.  These Pop-UPs will happen rain or shine and will be COVID-safe pick-ups.

This is a fun way to provide a bit of food to families. It’s always fun to pick off a fresh bright red-orange cherry tomato and pop it into your mouth! Youth2 wants to provide people with fresh cherry tomatoes all summer long!

Youth2 Pop-UPs are a great and fun way to help contribute to a caring community. All of Youth2‘s Pop-UPs are the perfect way to give to your community while coming together to make an impact on the lives of other people. 

            Youth2 is an organization based in Saratoga made up of both youth and adults working together to improve the lives of people around the world. Youth2 provides financial support to youth and helps them turn their volunteering ideas into an impactful reality, both locally and globally. To volunteer in your community and make a difference, contact us and we will help you help others!

COMMUNITY CARE POP-UP EVENTS: MAY 2021-
“TOILET PAPER TOWERS”

Written by Olivia Venditti

     Youth2– Youth Helping Youth (www.youthsquared.org) is teaming up with Toilet Paper Trio (toiletpapertrio.com), to jointly host their 3rd Community Care Pop-UP Event-Toilet Paper Towers.  Come see how high the toilet paper towers will be as we collect needed toilet paper for Franklin Community Center, Wellspring, Lifeworks/Soup Kitchen and Saratoga Senior Center. Three of these community-serving agencies- Franklin Community Center, Lifeworks/Soup Kitchen and Saratoga Senior Center are food distribution sites and Wellspring helps victims of domestic violence begin new lives.  Even though the days of empty shelves in the grocery store are gone, many people spend money they need for food on increasingly expensive toilet paper. By providing families with toilet paper, we are freeing up money to be used for other important needs such as food, medicine, clothes, and school supplies. 

     You can buy bulk toilet paper at any grocery store and we would be happy for any amount. BJ’s has generously provided Youth2 with a donation gift and a place to buy toilet paper in bulk. They are a great place to purchase toilet paper. The drop-off will take place on Saturday May 22, 2021; 10-1 pm, rain or shine at the outside Wilton Mall Saturday Farmer’s Market. The drop-off will be completely COVID-safe; you don’t even have to leave your car!

     We give a huge shout-out to Stewart’s Shops for their amazing generosity and funding of our Community Care Pop-UPs! 

These Pop-UPs are a great way to have a hands-on effect in your community. People of all ages can participate in this safe, fun, and easy way to give back! Everyone can understand the need for toilet paper, as well as the ways it helps take stress off of families. All of Youth2‘s Pop-UPs are the perfect way to give back to your community while coming together to make an impact on the lives of other people. 

      Youth2 is an organization based in Saratoga made up of both youth and adults working together to improve the lives of people around the world. Youth2 provides financial and thoughtful support to youth and helps them turn their volunteering ideas into an impactful reality, both locally and globally. Youth2 is partnering with Toilet Paper Trio, which came into being in the beginning of the pandemic. David Kelley, one of the original members of the Youth2 Advisory Board, founded the Toilet Paper Trio Hiking challenge at the start of the coronavirus to promote exercise/health, love of nature and to support essential workers and those experiencing food insecurity due to COVID 19.  All you need to do is hike, bike, run, walk or paddle three different trails/waterways, solo or with your household family/friends.  Bring along some TP and snap a fun photo.  Then, register to get a commemorative patch and sticker.  It’s $20 to register online (or at the Pop-UP event); 50% of the proceeds are donated to the COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund. To learn more about Youth2 visit https://www.youthsquared.org and to participate in the Toilet Paper Trio Challenge visit https://www.toiletpapertrio.com. To volunteer in your community and make a difference, contact us and we will help you help others! 

COMMUNITY CARE POP-UP EVENTS: APRIL 2021- BUS PASS COLLECTION/TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE

Written by Andre Culpepper-Wehr
Youth2 “ Youth Helping Youth is partnering with Saratoga County Mental Health Youth and Family Services team, Franklin Community Center, Shelters of Saratoga, and Life Works Community Action Program (EOC) to provide transportation assistance. This is going to be the second Pop-UP organized by Youth2. This event will provide the community in need with transportation to jobs, doctor appointments, job interviews and other important appointments. 
You can purchase bus passes at your local Price Chopper Customer Service. The Navigator card is $2 and it is $1.30 more for each ride you add.  You can purchase a pass for $3.30 (1 ride), $4.60 (2 rides), 5.90 (3 rides) or any amount you want to donate.
The drop off will take place on Friday, April 23, 2021 4-6pm, rain or shine in the 112 Spring Street parking lot. The entry to the 112 Spring Street parking lot is on Court Street. The drop off is completely COVID-safe “ you don’t need to leave your car.   
We give a big shout out to Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Grant, for it is with their generosity and funding that many of the donated materials were purchased. 
These Pop-UP events are hands-on ways to help our community; younger children can be involved in community service, as they can certainly understand the importance of being able to get to places to get food, to go to the doctor, and to be able to go to work.  By caring for our community and having a sense of responsibility towards one another, we can all put our hands together and make an impact. If we engage with each other in different ways, we can open a new door and reveal the many ways that our community can work together to help us all.   
Youth2 “Youth Helping Youth is an organization based in Saratoga Springs (under the care of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region) that consists of youth and adults coming together to work towards a brighter future in their community and beyond. Youth2has always been committed to giving financial and thoughtful support to help interested youth turn their unique social action ideas into realities. We review local and global community service grant proposals of youth, offer advice to them about their projects, distribute funds and help to educate the community about volunteer action. Youth learn leadership and philanthropic skills while serving on the Advisory Board. For any further information our website is www.youthsquared.org. Youth2 is reaching out to community organizations in and around Saratoga Springs who might want a Community Care Pop-UP for their own. You are also invited to creatively think of one that speaks to you.  

COMMUNITY CARE POP-UP EVENTS-MARCH 2021

Every child deserves a toothbrush of their own- Youth2‘s First Community Care Pop UP Event

Written by youth Advisory Board Member:  Eliza Krackeler

             Youth2“Youth Helping Youth is an organization based in Saratoga Springs (under the care of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region) that consists of youth and adults coming together to work towards a brighter future in their community and beyond. Youth2has always been committed to giving financial and thoughtful support to help interested youth turn their unique social action ideas into realities. We review local and global community service grant proposals of youth, offer advice to them about their projects, distribute funds and help to educate the community about volunteer action. Youth learn leadership and philanthropic skills while serving on the Advisory Board. 

            Youth2is partnering with SNACpack for the first Pop-UP to light a beacon of hope in Saratoga Springs. In response to the necessities of the changing times, Youth2 hopes to create pop-ups that will provide the community in need with warm socks, toothbrushes, bus passes, and so much more. Youth2 is reaching out to community organizations in and around Saratoga Springs who might want a Community Care Pop UP for their own. You are also invited to creatively think of one that speaks to you. 

            SNACpack started six years ago to provide children living in food-insecure homes with meals to sustain them over weekends and throughout the summer. The program is currently helping 260 K-12 students in the Saratoga Springs School District, weekly. The bags are packed every week by volunteers and delivered directly to students’ homes, as many students are currently studying virtually or hybrid. SNACpack is a 501(c)3 organization that receives no money from the school district and relies on grants and generous donations from our community. 

The first Pop-UP, organized by Youth2 to help SNACpack, will provide warm socks and toothbrushes for children and teens, ages 6-18. The drop off location is St. Clement’s Church Parking Lot, 231 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs, look for the sign. The Pop-UP will continue, rain or shine, and will take place on Thursday, March 25th, from 3-5pm. The drop off is completely COVID-safe you don’t need to leave your car. 

We give a big shout out to Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Grant, for it is with their generosity and funding that many of the donated materials were purchased.

These Pop-UP events are hands-on ways to help our community; younger children can be involved in community service, as they can certainly understand the importance of warm feet and having their own toothbrush.  By caring for our community and having a sense of responsibility towards one another, we can all put our hands together and make an impact. If we engage with each other in different ways, we can open a new door and reveal the many ways that our community can work together to help us all. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Despite the many challenges, we would like to share the highlights of our year. Click here.

OUR BLACK LIVES MATTER STATEMENT

We, the Board of Youth2– Youth Helping Youth, mourn the loss of George Floyd and the sanctioned license to use violence that murdered him.  We share our deepest sympathy with his family, friends, and the global community that witnessed this injustice.

We stand opposed and we reject institutionalized violence and systemic inequities.  We are committed to act in ways to lessen the systemic racism that has caused centuries of death, exploitation, poverty and layers of losses in all communities of color (African-American, Asian-American, Latin-American and Indigenous-American).  We believe that Black Lives Matter. We welcome the current conversation about institutional change spearheaded by the loss of George Floyd.

As a group focusing on teaching philanthropy to youth we are committed to thoroughly examining the ways that we help other people and we want to make sure that the projects that we fund do not promote more avenues of systemic racism.  We want to pay attention to helping others in ways that they want to be helped and in ways that do help both in the short and in the long run. We aim to ensure that the projects we fund promote equity and justice.

We believe in the importance of education- making the invisible visible, learning about how our economy has been built upon racism, and educating ourselves about our own racist beliefs.

We believe in the importance of peaceful demonstration and speaking truth to power.

We value justice, equity and safety for all members of our society.
We believe in the power and the voice of youth.

On behalf of the Advisory Board of Youth2– Youth Helping Youth
Jon & Olivia Brayton, Katelyn Brunet, Cindy Choy, Rayvon Cowan, Amalia & Andre Culpepper-Wehr, Ella Daley, Jean Fei, Maggie Fronk, Jonathan Greene, Eliza Krackeler, Beverly Lazar-Davis, Eva Nagel, Jennifer Ogrodowski, Mira Van Patten, Olivia Venditti.

LESSENING SYSTEMIC RACISM

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth took action by contributing to the following causes:

C.O.C.O.A.- Children of our Community Open to Achievement– an after school enrichment program for at risk youth from Hamilton Hill and Vale Districts of Schenectady County.  It is a mentorship and tutoring program that connects Union College students with underserved youth.  Tele-tutoring and local meals provided by restaurants are provided in response to the educational inequities and due to COVID19.

https://cocoahouseunion.wixsite.com/home/fbclid=lwAROhTE56DUULymThIN_m9ZQK-vU8Qn3ATtRpMvGpIX_wOPQYycuAmZhF5hQ

The Okra Project– The Okra Project is an American grassroots mutual aid collective that provides support to Black trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people. The organization is based in New York City and was founded by Ianne Fields Stewart. The organization helps to lessen food insecurity and provides culinary training.

https://www.theokraproject.com/

https://twitter.com/TheOkraProject

CALL TO ACTION- YOUTH2 OFFERING GRANT MONEY AND GUIDANCE 

Article written by Amalia Culpepper-Wehr and Eliza Krackeler

Youth2– Youth Helping Youth is a Field of Interest Fund that was created to support and inspire young people in Saratoga County to raise awareness and act on local and global issues that matter to them. Youth2 provides financial support to help passionate youth turn their ideas into realities. This summer, Youth2 hopes to aid kids in the region by continuing our grant program and providing opportunities for youth to help their communities.

Youth in the area may apply for a $500 grant to fund their community service projects. In this time, we are particularly welcoming grant projects that focus on the four main issues that have converged in this difficult time. Projects that seek to lessen the effect of the pandemic, support families in economic crisis, fight systemic racism, and promote environmental action are top priorities in the current moment. If these sound like causes that you or youth you know are interested in, take a look at www.youthsquared.org or call, 518-281-9130, to learn more about this organization and apply for a grant.

Of course, there are many other ways for youth to get involved in the area, and Youth2 encourages kids to participate in other volunteer activities, such as volunteering with the Franklin Community Center to aid families against food insecurity by providing nonperishable food, or donating masks and hand sanitizers. Youth in the area are encouraged to help local organizations, such as collecting donations for Wellspring, creating Cheer Boxes for senior citizens (check with EOC for important items for our elders) through the food delivery system of EOC, help provide more Internet access and equity and helping with the weekly SNACpack Program filling backpacks for kids without food ().

If you would like to do something important for your local or world community apply for a grant. Learn about our past grants, and fill out a form of your own to begin making difference in your community. Take this quarantine and transform it into the service project of your dreams!

2021 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

We are pleased to announce the 2021 awards of the Community Service Incentive Award. This $500 award is given by Youth2– Youth Helping Youth to only two deserving seniors who have shown exemplary community service during their four years of high school. The award winners were chosen from five local High Schools- Ballston Spa High School, Schuylerville High School, Saratoga Springs High School, The Waldorf School of Saratoga and Saratoga Central Catholic High School.

Ms. Sakthia Muthukrishnan, a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, showed a variety of community service experiences.  You were inspired during the food drive with Franklin Community Center and volunteering at Saratoga Hospital.  This community work has helped to work toward your dream of becoming a medical surgeon. 

Emily Wenke, a graduate of Saratoga Central Catholic High School, learned many leadership skills from her volunteer experiences.  Emily enjoyed giving back to her community through her work to help young people feel comfortable with receiving services at the Soup Kitchen. Emily showed her creativity in working to change things at school, so that girls could wear pants; helping with the environment by getting rid of Styrofoam plates; and  having a peer evaluate her volunteer energies by writing a letter of recommendation! Her actions involved other youth, raised awareness and knowledge of resources regarding social issues and helping everyone in her reach that was in need of food.

We wish both Sakthi and Emily well on their college journey in this very complicated world.

2020 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

We are pleased to announce the 2020 awards of the Community Service Incentive Award. This $500 award is given by Youth2– Youth Helping Youth to only two deserving seniors who have shown exemplary community service during their four years of high school. The award winners were chosen from five local High Schools- Ballston Spa High School, Schuylerville High School, Saratoga Springs High School, The Waldorf School of Saratoga and Saratoga Central Catholic High School.

Morgan Miller, a graduate from Ballston Spa High School, learned many leadership skills gained from volunteer experiences over her high school career. She has received great satisfaction in giving back to her community through her work with young people, building their physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills. When faced with a personal struggle with her aunt’s cancer diagnosis, she was creatively able to raise awareness, increase action, and involve other youth in her social action effort, Kicks Against Cancer Penalty Shootout. Morgan is beginning her college journey at Nazareth College in the Nursing Program.

Trinity Hogben, is an extraordinary Saratoga Springs High School graduate building extraordinary relationships. Through the program of Best Buddies, she built a friendship and a mutual relationship with Megan, helping her overcome disabilities, while increasing meaningful experiences in both of their lives. She gained many leadership skills as President of Best Buddies; working to fund raise; attending the annual conference; working with international partners; and working steadfastly with Special Olympics. Trinity and Megan together have advanced the Inclusion Revolution. Trinity has lived the message, people are people, no matter what his/her/they disabilities are and should not be defined by their abilities alone. Trinity is beginning her college career at Siena College. She is interested in the business of non-profits and may just end up working with the Inclusion Revolution as a career choice!

We wish both Morgan and Trinity well on their college journey in this very complicated world.

 SARATOGA SPRINGS BLACK LIVES MATTER RALLY 

We can have our voices and presence be known to end systemic racism by attending rallies. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Saratoga March Against Racist and Police Brutality on Sunday- Ciara, Rayvon, Mimi, Eliza, Gail and Ralph, Lezlie, Art and Julie, Katie and perhaps more of you that we didn’t see. It was so hopeful to see 1000 people gather in our community for humanity, for equity, for justice for ALL.

YOUTH2 ‘S Graduation Day Celebration for Amalia and Mimi

Wednesday, June 3rd was a very special day as we celebrated the graduations of Amalia and Mimi.  All of us participating were struck by how these simple gestures of kindness and friendship in the midst of the pandemic and systemic racism are so important.  Met with tears and gratitude both graduates were surprised by our musical (a big thank you to our musicians, Jonathan and Peter) car parade, the good secret work of their mothers and the cards, treats and gifts we all thoughtfully put together.  Due to the high winds at Mimi’s we couldn’t get a good car shot that also had her name on it! It truly means something to be showered in thoughtfulness. Thank you to everyone!

SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS AND LESSENING FOOD INSECURITY

The Board of Youth2 made a decision early in the COVID19 pandemic to donate $5000 to the Franklin Community Center enabling them to increase their food purchases to feed our community. Written in their recent newsletter, No one has been left behind during these uncertain times thanks to a community that has risen up to support us each day. Yes, we are seeing a huge increase in the number of people utilizing our food pantry, but the volume of donations we are receiving has matched it.

MAKING MASKS: Many people throughout the community have come together to make masks. A special shout out to Ellie and the MoonCatcher Project- as of May 14th MoonCatcher volunteers have made and delivered over 16,000 masks. www.mooncatcher.org

Volunteers are still needed to sew masks.

A special shout out to Lezlie Dana () for beginning the project, Stitching Face Masks for Saratoga- Lezlie has made 6 dozen masks for Saratoga Hospital, and sent 4 dozen to Buffalo VA Hospital. She has made an additional 50 personal masks for our community.

We are a Field of Interest fund formed under the guidance of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Youth2 has been created to engage young people to think about issues that they care about and to create volunteer or social action projects for youth and by youth. Youth2 is committed to giving financial and thoughtful organizational support to help interested young people turn their ideas into realities.

  • Do you want to design your own volunteer project?
  • Do you want to be able to make a difference in the lives of youth in your own community or in the world?
  • Do you want to reach more people, but need matching funds to begin?
  • Did you ever wonder about how to get your project started?

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Youth2-Youth Helping Youth Community Service Incentive Award 2020

Community Service Incentive Awards will be awarded to two deserving seniors who have shown exemplary community service during their four years of high school from Saratoga Springs High School, The Waldorf School of Saratoga, Saratoga Central Catholic High School, Ballston Spa High School and Schuylerville High School. The award will be $500 to each winner. The Youth2 Advisory Board will review applications and select the two winners. The due date for applications is Friday, April 1, 2022 by 5:00 pm. Click here for application. 

YouthSquared Participates in “March for our Lives”  on March 2018

July 2018 15th Anniversary Gala – Recap & Images!
Read more…

                                      FIVE REASONS TO JOIN YOUTH2!

Youth2 can help you! How can you get involved?

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