More than 58% of young people belong to a community group, club or team.

The contribution young people make to the community is being celebrated and encouraged on UN International Youth Day and New Zealand's Hoodie Day, 12 August.

The finding from the Youth 07 research means that more than 245,000 secondary students are part of a community group, donating their time and participating in society.

Hoodie Day organiser's NZ Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) executive officer Sarah Helm said the evidence is that most young people are "Goodies".

The current generation of young people are making a positive contribution to society and this is increasing with over 7% more secondary students belonging to community organisations in 2007 compared with 2001.

"This Hoodie Day take a moment to look beyond the stereotypes about those who choose to wear hoodies and see the "Goodie" underneath," said Sarah Helm.

"We hope International Youth Day will be seen as a day to bring different generations together. We are all young at some time, and end up being seniors."

Hoodies are mainstream clothing evidenced by the fact New Zealand designers Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper, Laurie Foon and Kate Sylvester have included hoodies in their ranges.

On 12 August get your hoodie, be a goodie, and make a donation.

K so heres whats happening (or actually not happening depending on how you look at it)

on the 12th of August its NZ 's hoodie day annnnd UN International youth day-
AND AS FAR AS I KNOW THERES NOTHING PLANNED TO CELEBRATE THIS WITHIN RODNEY!

Best one i think is hoodie day, we kiwi's enjoy our hoodies specially in the summer months when the weather gets its self all confused !

so hoodie day what its all about?
well i reckon theres 2 parts to it

The first is about Adults understanding that to most Youth a hoodie is just a good way of keeping their head and ears warm! rather than a piece of clothing they wear to be intimidating.

And the second is about youth understanding that that stereotype has been created because of the behaviour of some youth, and that the only way this is going to change is if they do something about it.

I can understand some peoples thoughts aroung youth wearing hoodies to be intimidating but is it really that big of an issue??
is the fact that we tell the youth that we find it intimidating the real factor?

soooo. . . if anyone has any ideas on how we could best celebrate this then let me know!

ow and PS
i dont want to alarm anyone but my dressing gown does have a hoodie on it and when i wear it with my betty boop pjays it can seem rather intimidating i know! but really its just hiding something that would be much more intimidating . . .my sleep hair!!!! (u know that awkward hair style you wake up with after a good nights sleep- best one ive had yet was rather reminisent of Cameron Diaz in theres something about mary)

Anti-Graffiti Song writing Comp
We want the Youth of Rodney to write a song with an ‘Anti-Graffiti’ message.
The message that we are trying to get across to youth is this graffiti is stink as we have seen that peer-pressure is one of the best ways to deter tagging.
For more information about this just ask

oww
and
EVERY ENTRY GETS A FREE T-SHIRT!!!