Betsy Rose Ujvagi

President Obama met with young Americans in the West Wing to de-brief on the “100 Youth Roundtables” Initiative. In that session, young folks reflected on the feedback given to the White House during the course of the initiative. They discussed issues regarding environmental regulations, community organizations, legislation that the President supports, and how to really make a difference all around. To follow up on that feedback, the President announced a new series that will take us through the summer, called, “How to Make Change.” Check out his announcement here. This series will specifically foster a conversation between young Americans, advocates, and the White House on the issues that matter to us all. What are specific deliverables you would like to see? What tools can we offer you so that you can achieve what you set out to achieve?

Great midweek updates for you on jobs, education, clean energy, the DREAM Act, and more.

We’re just about 3 weeks away from the conclusion of the President’s “100 Youth Roundtables” Initiative. Since our last newsletter, we have participated in youth roundtables in California, Alaska, Utah, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Mexico, and right here in DC. Additional roundtables were held by fraternities & sororities, workforce development organizations, unaffiliated stakeholders, and community development leaders from Wisconsin to Texas and North Carolina to Kentucky.

To participate, go to www.whitehouse.gov/YoungAmericans and sign up for your own!

DREAM Act and Immigration Reform

The President delivered a speech in El Paso, Texas on the importance of fixing the broken immigration system for our nation’s 21st century economic and security needs so that America can win the future.

Visit www.whitehouse.gov/immigrationaction and www.whitehouse.gov/immigration for additional resources and details. And participate in an Advise the Advisor series on immigration with Cecilia Munoz, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House.

Jobs

Looking for a job? Fellowship? Internship? We just made this simple. Check out the Jobs database here. The YouthGO Web Portal provides a one-stop shop for young people seeking employment opportunities, volunteer and recreation opportunities, and educational resources in America’s Great Outdoors.

Ending Subsidies for Oil Companies

President Obama has called on Congress to eliminate subsidies for the oil and gas industry.  In a letter to House and Senate leadership, the President urged Congress to turn that investment instead towards clean and secure energy.  This action would relieve America from dependence on foreign and unstable oil supplies, and from the skyrocketing gas prices that burden America’s families.  We simply can’t afford to give the oil and gas industry over $4 billion each year in subsidies.  Instead of deepening our reliance on today’s energy sources, we must invest in tomorrow’s clean energy to spur the economy and win the future.  Please check out the video above and feel free to circulate to others who may be interested.

2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars Announced

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the selection of 141 outstanding high school seniors as the 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community.  U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June 18-21.

A complete list of 2011 Presidential Scholars follows and is available here.

Reinvesting in Arts Education – Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) announces the release of its landmark report Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools. The culmination of 18 months of research, meetings with stakeholders, and site visits all over the country, this report represents an in-depth review of the current condition of arts education, including an update of the current research base about arts education outcomes, and an analysis of the challenges and opportunities in the field that have emerged over the past decade. It also includes a set of recommendations to federal, state and local policymakers. A summary of the report is here.

White House Council for Community Solutions and Office of Public Engagement Partner on Youth Listening Tour

The White House Council for Community Solutions (WHCCS) announced that Councilmember Jon Bon Jovi will be joined by other members of the White House Council, will engage young Americans and community leaders in candid conversations to determine where efforts are most needed.  Findings will be compiled in a final report to the Council in June in an effort to highlight solutions. The WHCCS listening tour adds to the White House’s broader effort to engage young people nationwide through youth roundtables.    After the roundtables, the youth participants can submit their most pressing issues and most inspiring solutions to the White House’s Your Future, Your Solutions:  100 Youth Strategies to Win the Future website at www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans. This effort enables the administration to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face and connect participants with Obama Administration officials through conference calls, web chats, and other opportunities. More information about the WHCCS can be found at www.serve.gov/council.

Supporting Stem Cell Research

Today, millions of Americans suffer from conditions like Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s and heart disease. And while we don’t know exactly what stem cell research will yield, scientists tell us that this research has the potential to help treat or cure these and many other diseases and conditions.

That’s why President Obama supports responsible stem cell research and it’s why we’re pleased with a court decision that paves the way for stem cell research to continue.  Earlier today, a court ruled that a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s ability to support stem cell research was unlikely to succeed and allowed federally supported stem cell research to continue.

In Case You Missed It: Facebook Town Hall with President Obama

Click above to watch the full video, including a question on the DREAM Act from young organizers who participated in a youth roundtable.

West Wing Week: “A Good Day For America”

This week, the President announced the death of Osama bin Laden, visited New York City to honor the victims of 9/11 and their families, and made sure the federal government was doing its part in the states devastated by storms and much more.