December 21, 2004
Blazers Community Youth Builders (BCBYC) is currently accepting applications for state wide youth ambassadors. This is an excellent opportunity for young people to come together, make new friends, and help their communities.
BCBYC is a partnership program between the Portland Trail Blazers, Hands on Portland, and Camp Fire USA. Each year, a steering committee of Ambassadors comes together for four regional meetings to:
Identify issues that impact young people in our region
Identify a BCBYC funding focus
Create an RFP to distribute across the region
Review grant proposals from youth-serving organizations
Give away $40,000 in grants!
Culminate the project with a large-scale celebration in Portland at the Rose Quarter
Last year's BCBYC Ambassadors funded projects that promoted "Youth Voice and Youth Engagement" in local communities. They reviewed over 60 grant proposals, and selected twenty one organizations for funding (grants ranged from $500 to $2,500). Through BCBYC 2004, over 500 youth were involved in the planning and implementation of projects that positively impacted over 5,000 people in our region!
Before you apply, please know that this is a serious commitment. While meeting dates are not yet locked in, you will need to travel to all four meetings with an adult chaperone; in some cases, you will need to miss a day or two of school. In between meetings, you will be expected to complete local service hours, research youth issues, and take an active role in the work of BCBYC. Failure to attend all meetings and/or failure to participate fully may mean your removal from the program in favor of someone who can participate fully. Thus, be sure you are 100% invested!
To request an application packet please contact Darrin Marks by email at dmarks@portlandcampfire.org or calling 503-224-7800. Ambassador applications are due to the Camp Fire office January 10, 2005. Applications will be reviewed and decisions will be made by the Camp Fire USA Youth Board.
For more information about the Camp Fire Organization click here.
