YOUTH COUNCIL

Emerging research shows that involvement in youth organizing contributes to the social-emotional and academic development of young people in powerful ways, while also promoting their civic and community engagement. Thus, strong youth leadership development and organizing programs have a duplicator effect: both individual and community transformation. Individual growth of young people is catalyzed by building a sense of consciousness and collective agency to change oppressive systems* . This is the Lena Park Youth Council’s value proposition.

Youth involved in our Youth Council identify issues of concern to themselves and their communities, analyze the root causes of those problems, pinpoint solutions to address them, and partner with adults to conduct education and outreach to build support for their cause, and act to influence policy and systems change. We want to deepen this work so that youth are able to engage in these activities through-out the calendar year with the goal of further helping them to:

• Strengthen their racial and social identity

• Develop critical thinking skills, particularly as they relate to an understanding of the root causes of societal and social justice issues

• Understand the power of their voice in creating a sense of hope for the future

• Understand the importance of a lifelong commitment to civic and political engagement

• Demonstrate their civic empowerment • Develop tangible leadership skills