I hope that readers understand that teenagers notice what is happening around us. We know the information we need is not given to us because older people decide on what to feed us as information. We have to advocate for our ourselves so our voices can be heard.
Hosted at Dominican University in San Rafael, Peer Summit 2020 brought hundreds of local middle schoolers from across Marin County together for a full day of presentations, performances and workshops. The event’s success demonstrated, once again, the value of having youth at the helm in event planning and implementation.
“If they’re still working, then we should still be working to represent our community.” Young people in Half Moon Bay organize to ensure that youth voice is included in city priorities as City Council meetings go virtual.
I like that I’m able to show people that there are different types of women. I play different kinds of roles – I’m a business owner, I like to dress up, I’m an activist and I love playing soccer, but I’m one person. I am Mexican, I wasn’t born here. I’m dark-skinned. I am a woman. I’m low-income. I’m breaking down prejudices on different sides, acting as a bridge between communities.
On Thursday, February 27th, three yli youth leaders were recognized for their powerful leadership potential by the San Francisco Foundation’s Koshland Program. Over the next year, the multi-generational cohort of fellows will meet monthly for trainings, workshops, and field trips with the objective of crafting a project that they will implement in the following year.
“I’m off to fight again at City Hall!” Collin Lee yelled to his mom as he rushed out the door. He and two other youth leaders have been organizing for years to reduce underage drinking in Fresno, “the Drunkest City in America.”
For me to open up, I had to listen to someone else open up first. I had to know that they could carry the weight of what was going on in my heart.
Hair has always been important to me. It’s how I express myself. Whether or not my hair is done can affect my attitude or how I approach certain situations. And if my hair is not done it can also be detrimental to my confidence.
