Allison Hoffman

Los Altos | 17

2007 Award Recipient

Allison Hoffman and her friends were profoundly troubled by violence they were reading about taking place in Darfur, Sudan. As a response, Allison formed YADA: Youth Alliance for Darfur Action. Founded in September of 2006, YADA worked to connect high school students from around the San Francisco South Bay to help them share ideas and work together to collectively fight the genocide. This initial activity spawned a determined group of six high school students committed to strengthening and amplifying youth voices, and using this power to spark significant change in attitudes towards and engagement in acting against the genocide in Darfur. Together, the teens raised funds for humanitarian aid, promoted public advocacy, and raised public awareness.