Youth Jam USA: Leveraging Privilege For Social Change
March 24-30, 2003
Ben Lomond Quaker Center,
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Ages 15-35
click here to find out more about the post Jam event:
Young Visionaries, Bold Answers,
Effective Actions











What does it mean to have access to wealth or prominence in a world with such a gap between the "have's" and the "have-not's"? What is our responsibility? Our opportunity? How can we find peace without getting too comfortable? What does it take to have meaningful peer-to-peer relationships across race and class? How can we face the realities of the social and environmental crises of our times without being overwhelmed, and without turning numb? How can we find a balanced and effective response? What would it look like to bring our lives and our resources into alignment with our highest life's commitments? How do we shed the cultural baggage around money and fame, and find a healthy relationship to it as a vehicle to serve our purpose and contribution? How can we mobilize our peers and build a movement that transforms our world?
The Youth Jam USA:
Leveraging Privilege for Social Change will bring together 30 people who are living with these and other questions, and who share a commitment to using their lives, context and resources to build a more just, sane, sustainable and compassionate world. This event will be for participants who are: Under age 30 (with a few exceptions); leaders in organizations or movements working to manifest this vision; in positions of access to exceptional financial and/or public attention resources and committed to using those resources on behalf of their values; willing to ask big questions, share their truth, listen with an open heart, be open to paradox; and seeking to love, dream, and live in integrity.

What will we do?

The program will incorporate facilitated dialogue, sharing circles, inspiring guest presentations, ceremony, dance, live music, artistic expression, organized networking, games, participant-led workshops, and free time for participants to enjoy each other and the beautiful environmentsurrounding them.
This event will help participants to:
Build Community:

—Support one another, sharing our stories, challenges, dreams and commitments with peers who can relate to us - fostering an environment of honesty, safety, growth and connection.

—Discuss the self criticism, expectations of others, and potential alienation that can so easily accompany privilege, while supporting one another in navigating through these waters with health, courage, and clarity.

—Explore family dynamics and how to inherit monetary and non-monetary support without inheriting values, beliefs and attitudes that don't serve who we are and the difference we want to make.


—Talk honestly about money - what it is, what responsibilities, challenges and blessings come with it, and how to live and work with it in a responsible, healthy, and life-affirming way.

—Respectfully share diverse forms of spirituality.

Gain Skills:
—Gain skills in strategy, power analysis, fund-raising, financial self-awareness, and expanded capacity to play an empowering and supportive role in the wider movement for social change.

—Gain information on and engage in conversations about a variety of issues, including social and political topics, financial planning, and community based philanthropy.
Become More Effective Social Changemakers:

—Network and build alliances that can expand our organizational effectiveness.

—Connect with existing philanthropy networks and donor activist communities to which we can turn for ongoing support.

—Gain connection to a deepened sense of purpose that can in turn sustain us through a lifetime of being a catalyst for positive change.

—Hear from veteran social change leaders who will act as mentors and sources of wisdom and inspiration.

—Learn how to enroll friends and colleagues in using the resources in their lives to make a difference.

Who Is Putting This Event On?
How Do I Apply?
Guest Presenters
Site and Cost Why Do We Call It A "Jam"?
More Information on Youth Jams
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Food Why Work With Wealthy Young People?