A partnership in Second Life with: the Public Library of Charlotte &

Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), Global Kids, Youth Venture,

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and a Juvenile Detention Center (JDC)

began spring 2007 w/ Freedom Reads bookclub

brought more public library staff on board to work with adults and teens

gave more technology programs in 2008

variety of activities

• International gathering place

• Takes place in Teen Second Life which is for those ages 13-17

•TSL offers the flexibility of creating private spaces for people to meet on what are called ‘islands’

•Non-profit organization in NYC •Works with youth to be global citizens and community leaders•Has a well established presence in Teen Second Life•www.globalkids.org / www.holymeatballs.org

•Work with youth from over 14 countries•Youth-led organizations work create lasting change and make a difference in communities•www.genv.net

•To improve the health and healthcare for all Americans•They fund projects that “have a measurable impact and can create meaningful change”•www.rwjf.org

Teens form a team (2+ is a team)

Workshops and meetings take place in the virtual medium

Identify health related problems in the community (social/mental health too)

Meet to develop their plan

Present their plan to a panel

•Created and led by youth

•Benefits the community

•New org., business, or club

•Ongoing and sustainable

Identified as issues by the Cool Kids:Drugs, Drug Dealer, Gangs

Identified as passions by the Cool Kids:Music, Basketball, Football, Art

•If the venture is accepted, will receive seed funding of $1,000• Ongoing support of a community to keep ventures going

Continuity of team from week to week

Limitations of being able to be online and in the ‘real world’

Communication about the project (privacy, etc.)

Want to pursue D.I.D.I. for your own teens? Contact Amira Fouad with Global Kids:

amira@globalkids.org

Want insight on working with the project as a library? Contact Kelly Czarnecki with the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County:

kczarnecki@plcmc.org

http://tinyurl.com/6ldqmk