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Youth of Promise [YOP] is a team of organizations made up of youth and adults dedicated to engaging youth as partners, leaders, and resources in fulfilling the Five Promises for other young people within Utah.
YOP was founded after the President’s Summit for America’s Future, held in 1999. This challenge made youth a national priority. General Powell called for service launched Utah’s Youth of Promise. YOP seeks to achieve The Five Promises to Utah’s youth.
THE FIVE PROMISES
- Caring Adults
- Safe Places
- Healthy Start
- Marketable Skills
- Opportunities to Serve
A few words from some of our Youth
UNITY DESPITE DIVERSITY
As the Ethiopian proverb goes, ”When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion,” So it goes for our beloved country. When we are united despite our diversity, we are invincible. Our founding fathers built this great nation upon the principle, United we stand, divided we fall,.”
As I grew up in Bountiful my whole life, I felt like a typical kid, but in many ways, I wasn’t. I am a first generation Arab American-Muslim, with most of my relatives living in Jerusalem. I know first hand how crucial unity despite diversity is and how crucial it is for a country to remain united.
On that day- September 11, 2001 - a day none of us will ever forget, we all felt a common ray of light burn inside of each of us; love of our country and connection with each other- no matter what our differences were. Patriotism soon reigned in each and every heart. It didn’t matter who was rich or poor, black or white, who was part of religion or ethnicity, or what political views we held.
What mattered was the United States of America... our freedoms... peace... the unique opportunities those before us have sacrificed
My involvement in the Youth of Promise (YOP) has been the most meaningful experience of my life thus far. YOP is a youth organization founded to serve others and their communities. YOP is something I enjoy doing because I know that through YOP I can help others and feel that I have fulfilled part of my purpose. Through my experiences, I have learned that service is something you do because it makes a positive difference for those surrounding you.
After the attacks of September 11, 2001, YOP decided to create a memorial titled “Utah Unites in Hope, Remembering 9/11.” This memorial was designed to commemorate both people from Utah who died on September 11th, and those who have given their lives while fighting the War on Terrorism. As an active member of YOP, I helped design the memorial, and have given presentations to audiences regarding the memorial and its purpose.
Acting as the president of YOP has provided many unique experiences: I have been able to appear on television, radio, and conduct YOP meetings. Additionally, and most memorably, I have visited those who have lost loved ones and witnessed their heartache and tears. Being a part of this organization has allowed me to realize that I am capable of making a difference in my community and that I can help to wipe away those tears.
Through YOP, I have seen people’s lives touched; and I know that my life has been changed for the better. This experience has given me so much love for my country, for those who fight for it, and for the outstanding citizens who make up the United States of America.
By: Mari Lindstrom, President
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