Do you know a young person who's making a difference in our world?  (Rhetorical question; we know you do.)

The Do Something Awards (formerly the BR!CK Awards) identifies exceptional young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who have a significant social impact. The Do Something Award nominees and winners are the pivotal "do-ers" in their fields and causes. For this year's awards up to five finalists will be selected and rewarded with a $10,000 community grant, participation in the third Do Something Awards TV show on VH1, media coverage, and continued support from DoSomething.org. Of those five finalists, one will be selected to win the Grand Prize, a $100,000 grant, which will be announced during the broadcast.

You can recommend people for the award by filling out a simple nomination form at www.dosomething.org/awards. They are looking for the "best-in-class" activists, leaders, and social entrepreneurs age 25 and under. Applicants must be citizens or residents of the U.S. or Canada and must apply by April 15th, 2013, although applying earlier is strongly encouraged.  

by Julia Reticker-Flynn, Associate Director for Youth Organizing and Mobilization

 Every single day, abortion providers stand with young people, women, and their families to ensure access to safe medical care – care that 1 in 3 women will need in her lifetime.

Unfortunately, many abortion providers continue to face significant risks, including harassment, stalking, threats to family members, and even violence. Despite these risks, they continue to stand with us and provide care.

In 1996, March 10th was declared National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, to honor and celebrate the people who risk so much to ensure access to safe reproductive health care. Advocates for Youth is honored to stand with these brave and caring professionals.

Join us in showing your appreciation by sharing a picture of yourself with one of our special thank-you images.

Natasha Vianna is a young mom and advocate for young parents; the Teen Parent Ambassador Coordinator for Brigham Women's Hospital in Boston; and a freelance writer with Advocates for Youth.

The teen pregnancy prevention [read: teen mom shaming] ads making headlines in New York City are offensive and are a part of a system that consistently degrades teen moms. What these public service announcements promote is a continuation of the unfair treatment of the young women who need support. It enables those who have personal agenda against teen moms to effectively use their disapproval to make their lives MUCH harder than it needs to be.

When teens become parents, they instantly become victims of discrimination, judgment, and stereotyping. They are expected to drop out of high school, apply for welfare, neglect their children, and accomplish nothing to be proud of. For most teen parents, expecting a child comes with stares, negative comments, mistreatment, and bullying. Without a doubt, teen parents in schools are discriminated against not only by their peers, but primarily by school staff.

What happens when the very people who are supposed to ensure you are in a safe and stable learning environment are the ones making your education a depressing experience? I can tell you what that’s like because it happened to me.

Today the House of Representatives reauthorized the Violence Against Women’s Act – a version which includes provisions specific to college students, native American women, LGBT people and immigrant women. VAWA covers a lot of territory. Some of its most known benefits include funding for shelters and programs to prevent domestic violence. Now the bill is off to the President to sign and become law, so take a minute to celebrate all your hard work in making this a reality!