Utah Federation for Youth

Mission

The Utah Federation for Youth promotes positive youth development and drug prevention through education, community involvement, and outdoor recreation.

History

Founded in 1980, the Utah Federation for Youth has worked as a grassroots, community non-profit organization in Salt Lake City to provide initiatives that improve young people's lives, the environment, and our community.

UFY Objectives

With its community partners and innovative programs, Utah Federation for Youth seeks to fulfill the following objectives:

• Education: UFY provides educational opportunities and resources to youth, parents, and the community to encourage leadership and communication and to reduce and prevent drug abuse and violence.
• Community Involvement: UFY engages youth, adults, and community leaders in service learning and civic projects, assisting them to learn about, appreciate, and create solutions for issues in their community.
• Outdoor Recreation: UFY gets youth involved in outdoor activities within their own communities in order to educate and encourage their investment and interest in their social and natural environments.

The Role of Service-Learning

UFY programs rely increasingly on service-learning as a proven practice to develop character, skills, and leadership. As a community-based organization, UFY has taken a lead in promoting service-learning training and opportunities in order to help other local organizations to create service learning projects within their own spheres.

Target Population & Needs

Having observed the particular needs and problems that at-risk, low income, and minority youth experience in our Utah community, UFY focuses on providing access to opportunities and resources. Often, these youth lack positive interaction with adults and have limited access to appropriate resources. UFY takes the lead in creating partnerships so that local youth have increased access to mentors and facilitating programs that develop leadership skills and respect for self and community.