|
In 1970, United
Action for Youth (UAY) opened the door to opportunities for all teenagers and parents in Johnson County and surrounding counties. In
the three decades since then, we have continued to open doors to creat futures bright with hope and promise. Today
UAY offers an incredible array of stimulating programs to over 2,600 people annually.
At a time when youth
look to their friends to define themselves, UAY is a safe place where young people from all walks of life can be silly, thoughtful,
outrageous, or sad. They can try new things, make friends, explore their talents, share their skills, and start defining
the adult that each will become. They can partner with caring adults, who encourage, teach, and give honest feedback.
"My daughter used to be so shy and withdrawn.
She now is silly, happy, and free. She is treated with such open minds and thoughtful hearts each time she enters UAY, not
to mention fun! I truly thank God for you and your group."
-Karina Forman, parent
"It was a place I could come to when I felt overwhelmed
by my life. Sometimes it would be all the injustices I saw in the world. Sometimes it would be the pressures of school, peer
pressure, dating. Sometimes it would be my fears that I would not be able to meet the great expectations my parents had for
me and that I had for myself."
-Andrea Kurtz
Managing Attorney, Legal Aid
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
1984-1988 UAY participant
Staff Directory
|
|
UAY also opens the doors to parents at a challenging time in their child's development. Parents
can come to us worried about what their teens are doing with their free time, or with concerns about the problems of
other teenagers in their child's school. Our promise to parents is that UAY will offer stimulating activities in an alcohol,
drug, and tobacco-free environment. UAY will help you prepare for your child's adolescence, help you talk about tough issues,
and support you when things go wrong.
"Our two daughters volunteered at UAY as teenagers. While they
participated in different activities, each found her own niche and gained self-confidence, leadership skills, and a sense
of her place in the community. It was an invaluable experience for both of them."
-Leon Spies and Jan Peterson, parents
"There were so many people working at UAY disguised as 'cool
people' who kept me from tottering over the edge."
-Sarah Bender
Master's in Special Education
University of Iowa, Center for Disabilities
1985-1989 UAY participant
"The best part of UAY was that I was always encouraged to pursue
those things that made me unique. By learning to pursue my interests, I was able to develop my own inner strength that
gave me the courage to pursue my dreams."
-Susie Norbeck Nehring
Asst. Linn County Attorney
1983 - 1987 UAY participant
|
