The evening will feature presentations by youth in YAC programs about the artwork they create, the social justice issues they address, and the effect YAC has on their lives. Mark Jackson, principal of Amherst Regional High School, and Stacey Lennard, Executive Director of YAC, will also be speaking. There will be sumptuous hors d’oeuvres catered by the Lone Wolf, and live music by the Amherst High School jazz ensemble. The culmination of the evening will be a chance to make a meaningful donation to YAC. All members of the community are invited to come and support Youth Action Coalition.

“The event is completely underwritten by local businesses and individuals, including 100% of the YAC Board of Directors, which means that all donations earned the night of will go directly to support YAC programs. We are thrilled by the response from the community,” says YAC Director, Stacey Lennard.

The youth involved in our programs best explain why it is so important to support YAC; Julia said, “GirlsEyeView was the support I desperately needed at a difficult time in my life, and I truly feel that it pushed me to become more than I was, and the person I am today,” and Jacob says, “[Get Up Get Down] is like family.”

Youth Action Coalition is a non-profit community organization operating in Hampshire County, Massachusetts since 1988. YAC promotes youth empowerment through creative expression, community building, and social action projects. YAC is the only organization in the Amherst area that provides free, non-school sponsored afterschool programs. Our programs include GirlsEyeView (GEV), Get Up Get Down (GUGD), and Video Vanguards (VV).