Welcome to the 2011-2012 Program Year! The Youth Ambassadors are looking forward to an AMAZING year!

Since September, Youth Ambassadors have been very busy!

They have met with Council Member, Eric Olson (Council District 3), and School Board Representative Ms. Peggy Higgins (School Board District 2) to discuss their Clear the Smoke Anti-Tobacco Campaign which focuses on reducing tobacco use in Maryland by preventing the initiation of as well as raising the awareness of the dangers of cigar use among youth. Earlier this year, Ambassadors held two presentations, an art contest and published an information resource postcard that has been disseminated throughout the county. By the end of 2011, they will meet with additional community leaders and participate in another statewide training.

Clear the Smoke is funded through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, under the Maryland Youth Movement Against Tobacco - Advocacy and Activism Initiative. Youth Ambassadors are members of the Maryland T.R.A.S.H. (Teens Rejecting Abusive Smoking Habits) Statewide Youth Tobacco Control Program.

Meeting weekly, Ambassadors have also participated in a Communications workshop led by public speaker Cassandra Burckhalter, set academic goals for the year, and have begun planning for their new upcoming service learning activity, the Crossroads Project, focusing on teen dating violence and parenting. The Crossroads Project has three phases. The first phase, the True Love, True Reality (TLTR) Awareness Assembly, will be launched by a Call for Submissions for the TLTR Video Contest in December. In addition, Ambassadors have committed to sponsoring 2 elementary-aged students for Operation Christmas Child, organized by The Faith Based Collaborative Outreach Group.

Congratulations to sophomore Djellza Ramadani for being accepted onto the Newseum's 2011-2012 Student Advisory Board!

Youth Ambassadors love being engaged and In Reach loves engaging them!