As part of its Community Impact strategy to create lasting change in community conditions, UWGN has formed a partnership with Youth Venture New England. The partnership seeks long-term benefits for area youth and the community by investing in the capacity of high school students to create, launch, and lead sustainable entrepreneurial organizations.

A youth venture is a team of young people that develops an idea and a basic plan to launch a club, business, or other organization that uses their talents, energy, or interests in creating some kind of positive community impact. Teams present their proposals to a panel of United Way volunteers and if approved, can receive up to $1,000 to launch their organization.

UWGN-Youth Venture involves students in ongoing youth-led organizations, not just short-term projects. The initiative builds on students' unique strengths and interests, so it creates a sense of ownership and responsibility. Youth Venturers typically remain engaged in community efforts when they become adults.

Currently, UWGN-Youth Venture has partnership agreements with Nashua High School-North, Merrimack High School, and Souhegan High School. School-based Champions (typically faculty members) guide teams as they form and apply for grants. Among the teams to receive funding are Rubber Ducky Studios, which creates low-cost commercials for area businesses and free spots for some area non-profits; and Rhythm & Rhymes Records, which provides free DJ services at community events and gives young aspiring recording artists a chance to create a demo recordings.

Many thanks to Nashua Community College, and ControlAir, Inc., of Amherst, for sponsoring the launch of United Way-Youth Venture and reinvesting in the program.

More than 250 youth venturers from Greater Nashua and North-Central Massachusetts turned out for the second annual year-end regional celebration at Nashua Community College, in May. United Way-Youth Venture champions, allies, and guests also attended, bringing the total crowd to more than 300.

During the next few years – depending on formal agreements with schools and sponsor funding – United Way hopes to introduce UWGN-Youth Venture to all seven schools that previously participated in Youth Day of Caring.

lisa@unitedwaynashua.org