Youth

67 suenos mural

67 Sueños Mural (67 Dreams) mural on wall of San Fransisco Quaker Meeting.

The American Friends Service Committee Youth Programs involve young people in all aspects of the organization's work.  The Youth Programs seek to influence young people and be influenced by them, especially regarding their thinking about key issues of peace and justice.  The programs develop youth leadership in order to enhance movements for justice, peace and the empowerment of oppressed peoples as well as build bridges of understanding and active alliances among young people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

AFSC has youth programs in the United States and in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

We provide youth in the U.S. with information about alternatives to military service. We advocate to reduce the influence of the U.S. military in the nation’s public schools. We empower youth to become peacemakers in their communities and schools, and reduce the impact of handgun and other interpersonal violence in their lives.

The Peace Program develops youth leadership for peace and social justice activism.  We Mentor a United Voices youth group which provides experiential learning experiences and leadership opportunities for young social change activists. Expose the harsh realities of military service and refute false information provided by military recruiters and advertising, encouraging young people to pursue alternatives to military enlistment. Organize innovative Beats for Peace events to urge youth to Opt Out of inclusion in the military database.

Freedom school

Aaron Dixon gives Freedom School participants a tour to learn the history of Seattle’s Central District.

AFSC's Seattle Community Justice Program develops youth leadership for social change. We work to end racial disparities in the juvenile and adult justice systems.

Tyree Scott Leadership Institute

Hiroshima At 65 Postcard

Postcard marking 65 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- 65 years of misspent trillions, contaminated air, land, and water, stockpiled thousands of warheads.

AFSC provides support and leadership to strengthen and broaden a peace movement that bridges many issues and engages many communities. The Bay Area Peace Building Program works with peace organizations and local communities to organize nonviolence programs for youth, interfaith dinners for women and religious leaders, speaking events, public actions, and popular education programs that include music and art to engage youth more effectively.

We are also proud to support the nationwide "afghans for Afghans" knitters' campaign.

career fair 2010

AFSC's Truth in Recruitment program works with youth, parents, and teachers interested in opposing the militarization of youth and works creatively for youth awareness of career alternatives.

Activities include:

Opt Out – This campaign, usually held in the fall, helps schools be aware of students rights to not have their names and information turned over to military recruiters.

Ms. Mia with HAP scholars

The Youth Empowerment through Conflict Resolution program works with young people in Baltimore to find peaceful resolutions to conflict in their lives. Participants learn to use tools from the Help Increase the Peace Program as well as other community building skills.

In Guatemala, AFSC works with a local partner, Ceiba Association, to improve security and peace in neighborhoods of Guatemala City.  Together we sponsor La Burrita de la Paz, (The Peace Truck), a mobile unit which provides a safe space for community members to come for help.  The bus travels to different neighborhoods providing first aid, counseling for trauma, and conflict mediation.