ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a descriptive overview of the Central Youth United (CYU) project. It provides the historical context and background of the project, describing how and why CYU began and the key actors and organizations involved in creating it. The Central Community Organizing Alliance, the Central Community Development Center, Sister Space and Representing Ourselves all serve on the Central Youth Task Force, which created and funded the Central Youth United youth participatory action research project. The Central Youth United project began with the legacy of the first participatory action research (PAR) project with young people in Central, a youth-led community needs assessment carried out in 2001-2002, conducted by a different group of young people in Central. Rashna was a trainer and consultant with Youth Voices, and she provided technical assistance, training and capacity-building to the Central Youth United project.
