Transportation is under siege in Rhode Island. Funding for RIPTA is limited and many are outraged at proposed route and service cuts. Providence youth have experienced barriers to affordable transportation since 2009 when state legislation decreased funding for the state’s health insurance plans; a source of most school bus passes. Equipped with extensive research and passion for change, a group of youth is taking a unique approach to the problem. The leaders of Youth 4 Change Alliance (Y4C) are creating solutions and inviting others to be a part.
Y4C, an alliance comprised of four non-profit youth organizations—Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), the Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), Young Voices, and Youth In Action (YIA)—has been pushing for more youth voice and influence in institutional bodies of power. After a year of research the youth-driven alliance is launching their Transportation 4 Education Campaignon Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 5:30 to 7:00pm at The Salon, 57 Eddy Street, Providence.
The campaign launch, although youth-led, hopes to engage the whole community with opportunities to be a part of the solution. At the event stakeholders, community leaders and youth will learn what it’s[Invalid video specified] like to walk in the shoes of a Providence youth. Providence schooling and transportation data will also be released. The event will include interactive twitter Q&A sessions, an action auction where stakeholders are asked to commit to joining the campaign and prizes for youth participants. The event is free and open to the public.