Youth Empowerment
Our focus on youth involves comprehensive leadership development, mentoring, after-school programs, community service initiatives, and job training tailored to DEI-related careers. These initiatives collectively prepare our young leaders for a better tomorrow.
Project Respect
Project RESPECT Camp is a transformative leadership program that empowers youth to become community leaders while fostering personal growth and self-awareness. The camp equips participants with the skills to lead, advocate for social justice, and better understand themselves and their potential.
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Leadership and Personal Development:
Participants engage in self-reflective activities to explore their strengths, values, and areas for growth, building authentic leadership skills, confidence, and effective communication.
Social Justice and Equity:
The camp focuses on issues like racial equity, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging youth to reflect on their role in promoting justice and equality within their communities.
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Community Engagement:
Participants apply their skills in real-world contexts by creating action plans and projects aimed at making a meaningful impact on their communities.
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Peer Support and Networking:
The camp fosters a supportive environment where youth from diverse backgrounds connect, share perspectives, and collaborate, strengthening their leadership abilities.
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Self-Development:
Project RESPECT encourages youth to reflect on their identities, values, and goals, building resilience and self-confidence to prepare them for future leadership roles.
Through leadership training, social justice education, and a focus on personal growth, Project RESPECT Camp prepares youth to become confident, socially conscious leaders ready to advocate for positive change.
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Cost & Scholarships for Camp​
The cost to attend Project RESPECT is over $1,000 per delegate, covering food, lodging, supplies, and staffing. RICJ is proud to offer scholarships for delegates with financial need. To secure your spot at camp, a $100 deposit is required.​​​​
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Youth Action Council (YAC)
After camp, we encourage all delegates to stay engaged in their leadership development by joining RICJ’s Youth Action Council (YAC). YAC engages youth during the academic year. Delegates build on what they learned during Project RESPECT with the focus of turning passion for social justice into action for positive social change.
At YAC, our mission is simple yet powerful: to challenge and empower young minds to use their voice and take action. We believe in the potential of our youth to bring about positive social change through community building and open dialogue about social justice.
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YAC starts on the second Tuesday of September and ends on the second Tuesday of June. The after school program is youth-led and engages in at least one educational event and one fun event per month. The youth meet weekly and work on civic engagement project or campaigns.
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YAC is a place for diverse youth in Rhode Island to come together to make lifelong friendships and find their community.
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For any questions please email yac@ricj.org.