What is it all about?
A brief history
902 Youth is a non-profit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, with a focus on the education, advancement, and well-being of youth between the ages of 12 and 25. Founded by Roderick Galloway, 902 Youth seeks to create positive change within the world by promoting diversity, supporting the entrepreneurial ideas of young people, enhancing creativity, curiosity, and good health habits, increasing social, political, and environmental awareness, and instilling a strong work ethic early on in life.
902 Youth offers a variety of programs and activities designed to help young people reach their goals and fulfill their potential. These include the Executive Internship Program for college students, the Cyber Program for youth ages 12-16, the Radio Program for ages 16-25, and the Audacity Café for ages 16-25.
The Cyber Program provides a summer camp experience for youth where they can learn computer coding skills in a fun and safe learning environment led by well-trained counselors. The Radio Program offers a platform for young people to showcase their talents and engage with the community through podcasts, Q&A sessions, and music. The Audacity Café serves as a dessert bar and club where young people can study, congregate, and escape the distractions of life while also learning about important topics from the 7 areas of wellness, such as financial wellness, social wellness, physical wellness, and so on.
902 Youth founder, Roderick Galloway grew up in a variety of situations that allowed him to see the world from a unique perspective. After observing the lack of opportunities available to youth in his area, Galloway started a volunteer-based dessert bar and club to provide a safe and fun space for young people to gather. This led to a partnership with another local charity called Change and eventually the creation of 902 Youth. He initially was partnered with a bowling alley in North Georgia where they allowed him the space so long as it was cared for and looked after appropriately. When Galloway moved to Massachusetts, he brought his ideas up with him. That's how we found our headquarters home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
902 Youth's mission is to prepare youth for the future by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. By focusing on education, advancement, and well-being, 902 Youth hopes to make a positive impact on the world and create a better tomorrow for all.
Where we are today
The Audacity Café Initiative is the first step toward the Audacity Café serving as a stand-alone dessert bar and club. The purpose of the project is to offer education on many topics that are often missed in school or structured learning platforms while focusing on the 8 areas of wellness. This will be done by partnering with companies like TD Bank to provide financial education or Cambridge Health Alliance to provide physical health education. The initiative will bring education to areas all over the Boston area. (Mentioned Companies are desired partnerships. These partnerships have not been solidified in anyway.)
The Audacity Café Initiative will have a physical location in Cambridge for volunteers to plan and store supplies. Though, the initiative itself will be a series of pop-up events where we focus on one specific area of wellness and bring attention to and raise money for the eventual stand-alone dessert bar and club.
The program would run for two years or more, covering areas in Boston with a high expectancy of students between the ages of 16 and 25. Of course while this is the age range the program will focus on, it is open to the public for all ages. The plan for each event is to serve free pastries or sweets from a local café along 902 Youth swag as a way of supporting local businesses but also bringing awareness to local businesses and 902 Youth. As for the main part of the event, a professional in the field of the particular area of wellness will present information on their topic and give youth opportunity to ask questions.
