As our two cities continue to forge ahead with the development and refinement of municipal collaborations within our local governments, it is imperative that our elected officials; local citizens; leaders within our business community; and the future leadership of this community work together. This Lewiston-Auburn community must know that YPLAA believes that our twin cities hold the potential for growth and progressive revitalization and that YPLAA intends to advocate for and work to continue the advancement of this momentum.
Y-Not is a civic engagement and grass roots economic development program designed to educate, motivate, and recruit the next generation of community leaders.
Working in teams over a two week period, participants will increase their knowledge of local government, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. They will become more critical readers of newspapers, more informed contributors to public policy debates, and positive community ambassadors. They will expand their personal and professional networks and help bridge the gap between established community leaders and the next generation.
Y-Not participants will generate a positive image of Lewiston/Auburn, Maine, demonstrating to the community and to outsiders that this is a unique and opportune place to live, work, and play.
Our goals are simple, but ambitious. More young people need to take pride in their community. More young people need to volunteer to serve on civic boards and run for public office. They need to understand and care about the daily challenges of our democracy. They must understand that when they say “there’s nothing to do here,” that they have the power and the responsibility to change that misperception. But it is not just about convincing young folks to do more. More established members of the community need to see that there is a passionate and dedicated group of young people from every walk of life who care about the future of this community and who are already working hard, sometimes quietly and often in their own way, to build a stronger community.
At the conclusion of this program, we issue a personal challenge to every participant and community partner to make a commitment to do something for their community this year that will advance the vision that participant has for the future of Lewiston/Auburn. Every participant must answer for him or herself – why not act? Why not run for city council or school board? Why not start that business you dream about? Why not compete in a 5k? Why not volunteer with a nonprofit? Why not raise your family here? Why not come home? Why not?
Registration is now closed, however make sure you join us for the kick off and finale to show your support!
March 28th: KICK-OFF Celebration at Good Shepherd Food Bank
March 28th-April 11th: 2-week WORK Phase - Teams will work to complete Y-Not Challenges and submit them to their team mentor.
May 18th: Y-Not Finale Celebration! Prizes, food, entertainment!
This program is funded by a generous grant from the Thayer Corporation, as well as a project grant from the Maine Development Foundation.
Visit the Y-Not? Program Site
Registration is now closed, however make sure you join us for the kick off and finale to show your support!
