Democracy Multiplied in an Urban Neighborhood: Youth Force in the South Bronx

Abstract:This paper describes Youth Force in New York's South Bronx as an example of young people creating community change. It describes their exceptional efforts to take initiative in one of the nation's most economically-disinvested areas, through creation of a Democracy Multiplied Zone and other efforts to “mobilize a youth-led movement for social change” and “enable young people to develop a united voice and coherent vision” for the future. It analyzes their origins, objectives, activities, accomplishments, facilitating and limiting factors, and lessons learned from experience.