Philadelphia Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Youth Ambassadors Program (YAP)

The Philadelphia Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Youth Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a collaborative initiative between PHRC and PhillyCAM aimed at empowering youth to engage with civil rights issues. Through a series of sessions and field trips, selected students will gain knowledge about civil rights protections, conflict resolution, and community activism. The program will culminate in the creation of media products showcasing the students' perspectives on relevant topics.

Partner Organizations:

PHRC: The Philadelphia Human Relations Commission is dedicated to fostering equal opportunities and combating discrimination in the city.

PhillyCAM: PhillyCAM is Philadelphia's public access television network and community media center, providing resources and training for media production.

Activities:

Program Orientation & “Know Your Rights”: Students will receive an overview of YAP and PHRC, learning about civil rights protections applicable to youth.

Applied Conflict Resolution: Participants will analyze conflict scenarios and engage in Q&A sessions with PHRC staff.

Field Trip: Students will attend a Gun Violence Summit to broaden their understanding of community issues.

“Stand Up Against Hate”: Sessions will focus on hate crimes and bias incidents, exploring strategies for combating hate through partnerships.

IACRTF Panel: Students will engage in a panel discussion with members of the Interagency Civil Rights Task Force.

PhillyCAM Sessions: Participants will have hands-on experience at PhillyCAM offices, creating media products.

Graduation Ceremony: The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony where students' media creations will be showcased.

Future Outlook:

If successful, the YAP program aims to become an annual or bi-annual initiative, continuing to empower youth and promote civil rights awareness in the community.