FLY offers hope to 40 kids a year, ages 9 to 16, nearly all of them raised by single mothers. Beginning in elementary school, young people gain access to educational and artistic opportunities (some 50 American University students lend a hand) that develop their talents and nourish their dreams--all the way through high school. Central to the mission is a Youth Council which invests in young people the power to run their own organization: to choose curriculum, organize community service, plan summer programming, and dream up creative ways for FLY to grow and improve (the Council recently completed a survey on after-school needs in the community, and published its first anti-violence magazine, released to over 200 community members). The idea is to expose youth to new situations and enable them to identify and foster the leadership skills and confidence necessary to achieve their goals. Individualized assistance with school and scholarship applications, and preparation for employment, are also part of the program. Recipient of the 2003 Washington Area Women's Foundation Leadership Award, FLY's Young Women's Program provides workshops on emotional (time and stress management), physical (nutrition, dance, yoga, self-defense), and sexual (STD awareness, dating violence) health. You can facilitate these marvelous transformations--and watch FLY kids soar.

Charise Van Liew, Executive Director 611 Pennsylvania Ave SE #409 (mail only) Washington, DC 20003 202-423-2124 www.flyouth.org