BUYA
is a youth group working with a non-profit organization called BOCA (Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action). The group
is a multi-racial/multi-congregational group that gets together to talk about issues concerning the youth in our communities
and issues that are affecting our lives in general. BUYA is a great place to get to know other youth who come from different
ethnic backgrounds.
BUYA began in the summer of 2003, the idea came to mind when
two youth who had been participating in BOCA thought it would be interesting to do what BOCA was doing but with other Berkeley
youth. BOCA is a non-profit organization made up of 13 congregations representing 8,000 families, that also works with community
members and parish families to better our communities.
Mission Statement:
To break typical stereotypes, work together as a community,
most of all to look for a place within the community where teens can express their feelings and concerns and come together
for a good cause
· BUYA (Berkeley United
Youth in Action)—BUYA youth have met several times with Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates and City Staff to plan an after school
program for Berkeley youth at the West Berkeley Senior Center. The youth have also met in small groups to plan the kinds of
activities they will offer in the program and had a successful retreat to form a schedule for next year.