Legacy YouthLaunch Programs
Since its founding in 1994, YouthLaunch has a long history of piloting new programs to support youth, partnering with organizations to bring peer education to life on issues from substance abuse to conservation. While many of these initiatives have since concluded or spun off into independent efforts, they reflect YouthLaunch's ongoing role as an innovator and incubator in youth development.
Urban Roots:
An award-winning youth development program in which underserved teens cultivate an organic urban farm, and in the process, learn about sustainable agriculture, leadership, and community engagement. Now an independent nonprofit!
No Kidding: Straight Talk From Teen Parents:
A peer education program developed in collaboration with the Child Support Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office engaging current and former teen parents as peer educators who taught other young people about the realities and responsibilities of parenthood, No Kidding was adopted by Engender Health and evolved to become their Re:MIX! program.
Project PALnet:
Provided computer-based networking opportunities for PALS teachers to facilitate greater communication and sharing of best practices.
The Master PALS Teacher System:
Engaged exemplary veteran PALS teachers to provide training and support to other PALS teachers across Texas.
The Conservation Education Initiative:
A collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Federation engaging young people as peer educators about conservation and environmental issues.
Protecting You/Protecting Me:
A collaboration with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), engaging young people as peer educators for alcohol-related health and safety issues.
Teen Mentoring Initiative:
A collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters aimed at helping BBBS agencies to make more frequent and effective use of teens as mentors.
Youth Partnership for Change:
A substance abuse prevention program which engages young people as peer educators to increase public awareness of alcohol and its effect on the adolescent brain.
YouthLaunch Scholarship for Outstanding Service:
YouthLaunch provided recognition and scholarship assistance to selected Texas high school students with distinguished records of service within their school communities.