Youth Venture, Inc.

Watch Brady, co-founder of My Own Book, read one of his favorite books, Jamberry.

Back in the summer of 2006, brothers Brady and Kyle launched their Venture My Own Book to enhance youth literacy. My Own Book is dedicated to spreading the joy of reading to less fortunate K-3rd graders. The Venture sends teams of teens to elementary schools to read aloud and inspire young students to embrace reading by allowing each child to choose a brand new book to take home. So far, My Own Book has distributed over 25,000 books.

Youth Venture helps teams of young people lead positive change in their communities by launching social ventures (such as AIDS education campaigns, composting cafeterias, skate parks, disaster relief groups, book clubs, tutoring programs, and more).

When the Venture teams are ready to launch, Youth Venture offers:

* Seed funding of up to $1,000
* Guidance, tools and support
* Allies who provide advice, mentoring and expertise
* A supportive network of fellow Youth Venturers
* Identity as part of movement toward youth-led social change

After the team has launched, Youth Venture works to stay continually involved with the team. Youth Venture also connects Venturers into a fellowship of like-minded young people, helping them see that they are part of something bigger, catalyzing a movement of youth-led social change.

Youth Venture currently operates in 17 countries and online at www.GenV.net.