In a room filled with posters and graffiti art, teenagers gather around a table to talk about their next plan of action. The slogans plastered on the bright blue walls say, “a positive attitude is a little thing that can do a lot” and “working together is success.” They not only represent the youth center’s mottos, but also reflect the lives its eight members lead.
The South Tucson youth leadership group Youth-to-Youth has received national recognition for their efforts in keeping their community free from tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Part of the John A. Valenzuela Youth Center, the Youth-to-Youth group (Y2Y), received the Public Citizen of the Year award from the National Association of Social Workers last month for their commitment to combatting drug and alcohol abuse.
The small group of middle school and high school students has led efforts to oppose a local Walgreens’ application for liquor sales. Also, they pressured local bars to withdraw their liquor license renewal and helped ban the sale of K2, a synthetic form of marijuana, in South Tucson smoke shops.
After presenting an in-depth investigation about the dangerous affects of K2 on youth to schools and local politicians, the group went one step further and revealed how some shops selling K2 were sidestepping laws protecting youth.
Y2Y members entered a local smoke shop to buy K2 even though they were underage and did not have identification. One member convinced the employee that she was 18—old enough to purchase the synthetic marijuana.
“We got them to sell it to one of us, and we’re underage and with no I.D.,” said Juan Quevedo, 17, a junior at Tucson High Magnet School.
Aside from investigating and petitioning their city government, Y2Y members helped mentor younger kids at Ochoa Elementary School by performing skits and workshops about the effects of peer pressure. They also raised money so they could attend a national youth leadership conference in California.
Since its establishment in 2003, Y2Y has also gained a reputation around South Tucson for being a strong, valid voice against the sale of alcohol in their community.
After a roller derby applied for and was granted a license to sell alcohol for a special event near the center, the events coordinators felt that one more approval was needed before selling alcohol in South Tucson.
“The lady had heard about us, and came in to talk to us. She knew we were against the sale of alcohol in our community, and she looked scared when she walked in,” Quevedo said laughing.
After meeting with the coordinator, group members decided not to organize against the event since alcohol would only be sold the night of the event.
After finding empty “whip-it” cans littered around the center, the group’s next action is to combat the use and sale of the small nitrous oxide canisters that are sold for baking but are inhaled for a high.
“Kids on bikes have to avoid certain streets, there’s always someone drinking or with drugs around” said Alejandro Gallego, 16, a sophomore at Tucson High. “We want to make them more comfortable in our community without having to go a certain way. Y2Y is going to stay in the fight, no matter what.”
Quevedo echoed his thoughts.
“A lot of people don’t want to listen to youth talk about adult problems,” he said. “But they’re listening now.”
In a room filled with posters and graffiti art, teenagers gather around a table to talk about their next plan of action. The slogans plastered on the bright blue walls say, “a positive attitude is a little thing that can do a lot” and “working together is success.” They not only represent the youth center’s mottos, but also reflect the lives its eight members lead.
The South Tucson youth leadership group Youth-to-Youth has received national recognition for their efforts in keeping their community free from tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Part of the John A. Valenzuela Youth Center, the Youth-to-Youth group (Y2Y), received the Public Citizen of the Year award from the National Association of Social Workers last month for their commitment to combatting drug and alcohol abuse.
The small group of middle school and high school students has led efforts to oppose a local Walgreens’ application for liquor sales. Also, they pressured local bars to withdraw their liquor license renewal and helped ban the sale of K2, a synthetic form of marijuana, in South Tucson smoke shops.
After presenting an in-depth investigation about the dangerous affects of K2 on youth to schools and local politicians, the group went one step further and revealed how some shops selling K2 were sidestepping laws protecting youth.
Y2Y members entered a local smoke shop to buy K2 even though they were underage and did not have identification. One member convinced the employee that she was 18—old enough to purchase the synthetic marijuana.
“We got them to sell it to one of us, and we’re underage and with no I.D.,” said Juan Quevedo, 17, a junior at Tucson High Magnet School.
Aside from investigating and petitioning their city government, Y2Y members helped mentor younger kids at Ochoa Elementary School by performing skits and workshops about the effects of peer pressure. They also raised money so they could attend a national youth leadership conference in California.
Since its establishment in 2003, Y2Y has also gained a reputation around South Tucson for being a strong, valid voice against the sale of alcohol in their community.After a roller derby applied for and was granted a license to sell alcohol for a special event near the center, the events coordinators felt that one more approval was needed before selling alcohol in South Tucson.
“The lady had heard about us, and came in to talk to us. She knew we were against the sale of alcohol in our community, and she looked scared when she walked in,” Quevedo said laughing.
After meeting with the coordinator, group members decided not to organize against the event since alcohol would only be sold the night of the event.
After finding empty “whip-it” cans littered around the center, the group’s next action is to combat the use and sale of the small nitrous oxide canisters that are sold for baking but are inhaled for a high.
“Kids on bikes have to avoid certain streets, there’s always someone drinking or with drugs around” said Alejandro Gallego, 16, a sophomore at Tucson High. “We want to make them more comfortable in our community without having to go a certain way. Y2Y is going to stay in the fight, no matter what.”
Quevedo echoed his thoughts. “A lot of people don’t want to listen to youth talk about adult problems,” he said. “But they’re listening now.”
