Released on: December 10, 2007, 12:02 pm

Press Release Author: Ashoka\'s Changemakers

Industry: Non Profit

Press Release Summary: Organizations' Most Innovative Approaches to Addressing
Societal Challenges Facing Young Men At Risk Compete for Financial Support.

Press Release Body: From dancing to addressing domestic violence to using music to
promote improved mental health, an increasing number of programs are finding new
ways to meet pressing societal problems faced by today's young men. Ashoka\'s
Changemakers and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched a global competition to
capture the most innovative approaches to supporting young men ages 15 - 25 in
reaching successful and healthy adulthoods. The top programs will receive funding to
support and expand their programs.

Young men are increasingly at risk of suffering from societal problems of gangs,
addiction, crime, violence and mental health problems. These challenges are often
the greatest for young men around the world where traditional education, justice and
health care systems are not consistently providing them with the support they need
to reach their full potential.

"The well-being of families and communities in the U.S. and around the world are
directly tied to the well-being of young men at risk. We need leading thinkers to
collaborate on addressing societal challenges and take a new approach to finding
more effective solutions," explains John Govea, a senior program officer at the
foundation, calling upon programs using innovative approaches to share their
successes.

Young Men at Risk: Transforming the Power of a Generation invites organizations
working with 15- to 25-year-old males to submit their unique approaches to helping
young men overcome societal challenges. In addition to tapping top models to share
and replicate, organizers seek to foster a dialogue among top thinkers from the
academic, funding and business communities who are working with this generation of
young men at risk.

"Communities around the world have extraordinary innovations to share" notes Charlie
Brown, the executive director of Changemakers. "By using the Changemakers.net
platform, there are unlimited possibilities to discuss, refine and scale programs
and approaches that are improving the lives of young men and building on their
assets.\"

The competition will accept applications on the Changemakers.net Website through
January 23, 2008. During this time, applications will be available for review,
comment and discussion on the Website. Once the competition has closed, a panel of
judges will select 12 finalists and three winners. The winners will receive $5,000
in funding to pursue and expand their work.

Young Men at Risk: Transforming the Power of a Generation is the fourth in a series
of competitions hosted by Ashoka's Changemakers and RWJF to find enterprising
solutions to social problems.

Web Site: http://www.changemakers.net/

Contact Details: Ashoka\'s Changemakers
Contact: Delyse Sylvester
250-551-0570
media[at]changemakers.net