The curtain raising on a typical week in Voice of Youth finds young Lucius at the helm of a digital editing console. Gaining invaluable professional experience, he polishes a piece about religion in Sonoma, in which two girls interviewed Christians, Muslims, and everyone in between.

Now it’s Tuesday, and in walks Navaro, his friends, and his sister, cradling their baby sister. Her mother, with eight children to care for, often leaves De’Moya with little ones, but, no mind, the radio program director brings out toys while we debate the roots of African-American underachievement.

Come Wednesday, young Ben is researching the laws against interracial marriage to use in his commentary about gay marriage and Erika and Lisa are off the pick the brains of a local journalist about school funding.

Thursday, it’s John reading Neruda to inspire an ode to his video game system, and Friday finds director, Tatiana Harrison, seeking guidance from a local gang expert about the interview Max did with fellow gang members.

It’s not over yet. Saturday, Anna and her boyfriend Greg are using his graffiti skills to make Voice of Youth posters and Emily’s writing about spring break in Paris. Finally, Sunday, young Nemo cannot be disturbed as he crafts his magnum opus, a play that links the rare condition of synesthesia to the conflict in the Middle East.

Whew! As you can see, with such an ambitious scope, these kids are ready to work, they just need your vote of confidence. Lucius needs blank disks, a digital editing system, and time for tutoring with a professional editor. De’Moya needs a ride. Ben needs a computer with internet for his research. John needs food and refreshment to sustain a hungry poet. Max needs a recorder so he can review what he said and think twice about the path he’s following. Anna and Greg need paper for flyers to get people to listen. Nemo needs one-on-one tutelage to harness the energy of his unbridled brain. The more staff, equipment, and incentives we can provide, the bigger and better the smile when the kid hears his or her voice broadcast to thousands.

They need this chance, and they need it today. They are standing by, with piles of opinions and poems, questions and reflections. They just need an audience, and a way to get their voices to that audience. And only you can make that possible.