The more well known we are, the more impact we can have in driving social change. Spread awareness about us, write about us on the media, link to your website, make us your charity of choice, connect with us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
You can also fund raise for us, volunteer with us, get your friends involve with us, donate to us, sponsor one of our programs or become a partner of choice. YOC TEAM: Driving Social Change
Get tested and take part in our Know Your Status Poll.
• Do you know your HIV status? • Yes, I get tested regularly • Yes, but my last test was a while ago • No, but I plan to get tested soon • No, I don’t feel I need to • No, I’m scared to find out Thanks for taking part in our poll. Do the right thing and get tested NOW! YOC TEAM : Driving Behavior Change
If you’re a Youth of Choice volunteer, supporter, board member, a
friend, project leader, please take a few minutes of your time to
complete the survey, which is open through November 30. And if you’ve
already completed the survey or don’t plan to, We would love to hear
your answers to these questions, which appear in the survey:
Back in 2004, I was just an individual determined to make a difference in my surrounding community of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and confident that I was doing the right thing. I didn’t have much experience in running projects, I didn’t have a business plan for Youth of Choice, and what seemed most important to me at the time, was to contribute towards social change. I didn’t have much money other than my savings from government. The initial funds to start the organization came from my own pocket and I had a dream of establishing my own organization some day.
After I left my professional carrier in government in 2004, I was living from hand-to-mouth, and had this vision of starting a non-profit organization to serve the developmental needs of young people. In 2005 I started doing some research on non-profit organizations and I remember at some point thinking that this might not work, even though I knew there was a need for a new progressive youth movement of choice for social change. In 2008, Youth of Choice was founded and registered as a non-profit organization. Luckily, the Msunduzi Municipality had enough faith in Youth of Choice and funded our first Aids awareness programme, same grant has extended to other two projects. Youth of Choice has since gained a beat of momentum and now the biggest challenge is to get institutional funding to effectively run the organization. Without the confidence and support of the board members and volunteers, Youth of Choice would not be where it is today. Now, I need to make a leap from an idealistic visionary individual to run a sustainable organization operating from an office with staff and programmes to deliver. I need your support to roll out Youth of Choice programmes, broaden the scope of their impact, and use the shared learning’s to assist more young people in the region. I'm a transformational leader and a social innovator who speaks passionately about social change, leadership and success. I'm trained in property law and had a very successful career in government for ten years heading several transformation and change management structures. I'm currently the volunteer in chief of the organization responsible for the day to day management. I'm looking forward to hear from you and your great ideas to assist Youth of Choice to drive social change. Sent me an email at, jabulani@youthofchoice.org or follow me on Twitter, http://twitter.com/YOUTHOFCHOICE or like our Facebook fan page, http://www.facebook.com/youthofchoice
The high numbers of unemployment, especially amongst the youth, must
be top of the government agenda. South Africa, with a nearly 50
million-strong population, has an unemployment rate of 25% and the
youth constitute the highest of that percentage. One feels very much
concerned as many matriculants begin writing their final exams, some
will soon join an ever growing number of unemployed youth in South
Africa.
YOC would like to host an early Christmas party with a different
purpose for the vulnerable childrens and orphans of Masibambane Creche
– to simply have fun, to forget about their hardships, to celebrate
another year gone by and to spend time with in a fun filled
environment. 'Masibambane Creche' is located in the outskirts of the
city of Pietermaritzburg. 'Masibambane Creche ' aims to impart early
childhood development to the vulnerable children and orphans who
reside in the Vulindlela area.
Youth of Choice is an organization built on a foundation of dedicated volunteers that devote their time and energy in advancing our commitment to Social Change. Since the organization was founded in 2008, International and Local Volunteers have been an important part of Youth of Choice programs. The purpose of the Vulindlela Volunteer Program is to contribute specific skills to various projects, to promote inter cultural learning and experiences, and to promote Youth of Choice at home and abroad. Whether you regard sustainable community volunteerism as giving back, or paying it forward, when done correctly the experience is meaningful for you as the volunteer and the community with whom you choose to share your knowledge and experience. Vulindlela, is a Zulu word which simply means "open ways" and we hope when you volunteer with us you can help to pave a brighter future for children and young people we work with. This may be the one time you’ll want to leave behind more than just footprints.
In order to bring Hope, inspire Change and drive Impact of our programs in Children and Young people, we need your help! There are many things that you can do to get more involved with Youth of Choice in your own community. You can organize a charity event to fundraise for us, run our campaigns in your school or community, drive our programs on the ground, volunteer your time in our activities etc. 
Don't throw away your old shoes. This week we are launching another very exciting initiative and we ask you to show your support for the SHOE DRIVE CAMPAIGN by donating your old shoes to us. Just before Christmas this year we will give them away to those who are in dire need of them. Last year we distributed more 100 shoes to orphans and vulnerable children in improvised communities. You can make a difference. Your old shoes can bring a smile in a child life and provide hope. Some kids will use these shoes to walk to school, play soccer etc. For your nearest drop off point or point of collection, please call 0826786309.
Together, we can make a difference. YOC TEAM : Driving Social Change
Speak to us, we are ready to listen to you. Help us by answering these 3 simple questions and this will assist us to better prepare programs that are relevant and effectively drives impact.
1. What social issues affecting young people should Youth of Choice (YOC) be trying to address through their interventions programs? 2. Have you attended any of our outreach projects or educational campaigns? 3. How has YOC influence change in your life or your community? You can add your comments here or you can email us at info@youthofchoice.org Thank you for your time and together, we can make a difference. YOC TEAM : Driving Social Change
Youth of Choice Organization (YOC) has come up with another exciting and new innovative strategy to promote HIV awareness among the youth through poetry. This campaign is themed “Keep the Promise” and aimed at encouraging young people to be the voice for driving behavior change.
Poets are asked to write poems that reflects on a situation dealing within the parameters of HIV/AIDS education, prevention and encouraging testing. YOC hopes to successfully launch the campaign on December 3 to align with the World Aids Day commemorative events. For more information, drop us email at info@youthofchoice. YOC TEAM : Driving Behavior Change
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