Civic Engagement
Free The Children
www.freethechildren.org
is a great website for youth workers trying to make a connection between their youth and kids of similar ages around the world. The site details a variety of youth-related programs that Free The Children runs in developing countries, shows collections of writings and artwork by kids around the world, and includes directions on how to raise funds for needy youth. Toronto-based Free the Children is a nonprofit charity registered in five nations, including the United States.
Education
Coalition for Residential Education
www.residentialeducation.org
advocates for the development of residential education for economically and socially disadvantaged children. Loaded with facts to back its claim that residential education is the best option for these children, the site also contains information on new state and federal education policies and on how to get involved in the movement. The coalition, based in Washington, is a nonprofit association of boarding schools for poor and disadvantaged youth.
Health
The Access Project
www.accessproject.org
provides information on community improvement strategies, especially in gaining access to health care programs. Geared toward helping small, unsung organizations, the site includes dozens of links to government agencies, health-access initiatives and funding resources. The Access Project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Sexual Behavior
Teen Wire
www.teenwire.com
facilitates a forum with honest answers and open communication for teens. This entertaining and comprehensive site covers everything from pop culture to sexual health. After registering, teens can post health-related questions and expect an informative posted reply from the website’s editors. The site contains material that may not be appropriate for younger visitors. It also provides information in Spanish. Teen Wire is run by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Substance Abuse
Project ALERT
www.projectalert.best.org
details Project ALERT, a community-based drug prevention program directed at middle school students and used by more than 15,000 teachers in 2,500 school districts. The program gives youths incentives to be drug-free, and explains the short- and long-term physical and social consequences associated with drug use. The nonprofit initiative is based in Los Angeles and subsidized by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Violence
Assessment
www.umdnj.edu/vinjweb
provides youth workers and health professionals with detailed information about adolescent violence. This technical website illustrates more than 200 surveys, tests and other methods for youth-related professionals to assess the origins of violence. The site is a service of the Violence Institute of New Jersey at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
