ARCh developed the Youth Team in 1986 as part of its Prevention,
 Awareness and Community Education (PACE) program.  The    Youth Team is a grassroots effort - for teens, by teens (ages 13-18)   from Waukesha County who work to “make a difference” in the community. These teens work to eliminate stereotypes, to educate the community about the capabilities and potential of all people, and to advocate citizenship exercised with diplomacy, courtesy and respect. The Youth Team also provides a voluntary opportunity for its members to work together as a team - to take action to help create a world in which all individuals are encouraged and empowered to participate to the best of their abilities.

ARCh Youth Team conducts a variety of community-changing programs:

Presentations - The teens write and perform “Differences: Gotta Have ‘em!” presentations (dynamic, 45-minute performances featuring skits, music and personal stories) centered around the message that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  Age-appropriate presentations are offered to students in grades K-12 in schools and churches; we also provide presentations for adults in businesses and community groups.  The Youth Team reaches thousands of people per year with this positive and powerful message.

“Teen Time” - Our young people plan and sponsor “Teen Time,” monthly get-togethers with teens who have disabilities.  The purpose of these events is to promote development of social skills by providing positive peer interaction and role modeling in the context of educational and/or social activities and outings. 

Prevention - Youth Team members inform themselves and others about preventable causes of disabilities, promoting the health and safety of children.  In April of 2001, the Youth Team conducted assemblies in several area schools, reaching more than 3,000 teens with information about Shaken Baby Syndrome.  Our teens facilitated the creation of a banner with paper hands signed by young people who pledged always to use their “hands to help, and not to harm.”  The 65 foot-long banner, containing more than 2,200 hands, was then taken by our teens to Washington, D.C., where they performed the closing ceremony for the first-ever Shaken Baby Syndrome Candlelight Vigil on the steps of the nation’s capitol

Note:  Recently, the ARCh Youth Team was selected as by the United Way Volunteer Center to receive the "Inspire By Example" Award.  The Youth Team was chosen as Volunteer Group of the Year for 2007.  Congratulations to our hard-working teens, and special thanks to their parents, whose support makes it possible for these young leaders to make our community a better place.