Model Letter Encouraging
Co-Sponsorship of YAA

To send the letter to the district office, locate the address on www.house.gov or  www.senate.gov.  Do not send e-mail.  To send a letter to the Washington, DC office, use the address below:

  The Honorable (Name)                                            The Honorable (Name)
  U.S. House of Representatives                               U.S. Senate
  Washington, D.C. 20515                                          Washington, DC 20510

  Dear Senator or Representative (name): 

          I write to encourage you to co-sponsor S. 1005 (if you are writing to a Senator) or    H.R. 17 (if you are writing to a member of the House of Representatives), the Younger Americans Act (YAA).  YAA is a bipartisan effort  to create a national youth policy that ensures all youth in our nation access to what they need to be effective citizens today and when they are adults.  It gives $5.75 billion dollars over 5 years (95% of which goes directly to the state and local level) for youth development programs.  It also sets up community boards, on which youth will serve, to give out the money.  The goal is to make sure that all children and young people have access to:

          •        Ongoing relationships with caring adults;

          •        Safe places with structured activities during the non-school hours;

          •        Physical well-being and mental health;

          •        Marketable skills; and

          •        Opportunities to give back through community service and civic participation.

[Here, please describe why you personally think the YAA is a good idea.  Maybe because you or someone you know would benefit from a program funded through YAA.  Maybe because you think it’s a great idea to have young people sitting on the community boards that will give the money away.  As you write this paragraph, be personal and be real!]

I know that there are several federal programs for youth; but they are not enough. Most of the federal programs for young people are problem-focused—they seek to treat or, in some cases, prevent problems among young people.  Two types of federal programs do go beyond treating problems: job-related and school-based programs.  These programs serve a great need, but are also limited.  And, as a young person, I can say that even if school-based programs improve academic performance, they don’t reach many young people who are either not in school or want nothing to do with school. Please join your Congressional colleagues in supporting this very important and timely legislation.  I look forward to receiving your reply.

  Sincerely,

  Your Name

  Your Address