March 20, 2012 > Youth program needs help Youth program needs help Submitted By Chris Cara Filipino Advocates for Justice's (FAJ) 20-year old Youth Development Program in Union City will close at the end of the month unless the City of Union City picks up funding of this vital program. Core funding from Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services is not being renewed after March 30th creating a crisis for Union City's continuum of youth services. Program participants, past beneficiaries of the program, FAJ's partners at Union City schools, and members of the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition attended the March 13 meeting of the Union City City Council meeting to call upon the City to keep it operating. Losing FAJ's Youth Development Program will be another blow to the City's ability to provide much needed support and prevention services to the City's youth who struggle with multiple risks. Filipino Advocates for Justice was founded in 1973 and opened a second office in Union City in 1982. Its mission is to build a strong and empowered Filipino community by organizing constituents, developing leaders, providing services, and advocating for policies that promote social and economic justice and equity for all. To help FAJ continue its valuable work with the community, contact Chris Cara, Union City (510) 487-8552 ccara@filipinos4justice.org or visit www.filipinos4justice.org