Youth M.O.V.E. Event

THREE ORGANIZATIONS UNITE TO BRING THE INAUGURAL NATIONAL YOUTH MOVEMENT SHOWCASE TO CHICAGO

Mental health providers and child-serving agencies put aside their differences to ensure youth voice is heard around the nation.

CHICAGO (July 14, 2011) – After three years of mobilizing support across the United States, Youth Motivating Others through Voices of Experience (M.O.V.E.) National, along with Youth MOVE Illinois, and the Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (TA Partnership) celebrate a nationwide youth movement with local and national partners, and 1600 System of Care conference participants from across the United States.

The Youth Movement Showcase includes the State of Youth Movement Address by the YMN President, the RockStar Awards honoring prominent individuals and organizations in the mental health field, Chicago-style refreshments, special performances, music, and dancing.

The Inaugural event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel Chicago Hotel and Towers on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM in Chicago Ballroom. The Sheraton is located at 301 East North Water Street in Downtown Chicago. Though entry to this event is free, donations can be made by visiting www.youthmovenational.org.

Youth M.O.V.E. National (YMN) is a youth led national organization devoted to improving services and systems that support positive growth and development by uniting the voices and causes of individuals who have lived experience in various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, and child welfare. With 29 chapters across 25 states, YMN is poised to become “one of the nation’s most prominent youth organizations that is actually youth-led and cross systematic” according to the YMN Director, Cindy Bustillo.

Youth M.O.V.E. Illinois (YMIL), a statewide organization, is designed to give youth a platform to share their perspectives on mental health and related services they receive, the additional services they feel are needed, and their school, community and home life. The goal is to empower and provide youth with the skills and tools to achieve lifelong prosperity and success. “By 2021 our youth would like to see more funding for prevention programs, and youth learning to advocate and being/feeling heard” Raphaelle Richardson, Director of YMIL.

TA Partnership provides technical assistance to system of care communities that are currently funded to operate the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. The mission of the TA Partnership is "helping communities build systems of care to meet the mental health needs of children, youth, and families."

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