The Future We Need, a new national youth-led narrative expansion effort, kicked off in November 2020. Maya Muldrew, one of its young founders, shares what it is, why it matters, and how you can get involved. “Young people can change the world.” At some point in everyone’s youth, a phrase…
Why is breaking down a stereotype about today’s young adults nearly impossible? Millennials (born 1980-2000) have been tarred by the same brush for quite a while now: Apathetic. Self-centered. Not politically active. And no matter what data someone presents to the contrary, stereotypes refuse to bend. But they need to.…[...]
By Sloane Baxter and Lisette Burton |
Youth Today |
This editorial is printed with the help of Sloane Baxter and Lisette Burton. SparkAction helped the authors place a related editorial in Youth Today, the nation’s only paper for youth development professionals. Read that version here. A longer version appears below. October is Youth Justice Awareness Month, and as consensus builds…[...]
The Forum for Youth Investment and Oasis/Community IMPACT |
This report outlines 8 principles of engaging youth in social change. It begins with tips for designing a strong outreach strategy and ends with advice on creating opportunities for sustained access and influence. At each stop along the way, readers learn key ideas, real-world implementation details and reflection questions. The…[...]
In Washington state, eight kids took the government to court to safeguard their future through stronger regulations on carbon emissions. In November of 2015, after a year-and-a-half of legal proceedings, Judge Hollis Hill denied the young leaders' petition to the Washington Department of Ecology (commonly known as “Ecology”). In it,…[...]
April is National Poetry Month. We caught up with Leo Mercer, a musician and community organizer in Oakland, to learn more about how he uses poetry and music to build community and advocate for reform. Claiming that I'm the source, Trying me as an adult, Disregarding my vote, They call…[...]
How a diverse group of young changemakers is reimagining urgent social movements in the face of a pandemic. In early March, as the novel coronavirus forged its destructive path across the United States, shuttering businesses and community centers and halting events, a group of young changemakers held a conference call.…[...]
April is National Poetry Month. We caught up with Leo Mercer, a musician and community organizer in Oakland, to learn more about how he uses poetry and music to build community and advocate for reform. Claiming that I'm the source, Trying me as an adult, Disregarding my vote, They call…[...]
"We are grateful for the commitment to children and tireless persistence of the JJDPA’s lead cosponsors, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Congressman Jason Lewis (R-MN), and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), for getting this critical law reauthorized." - Naomi Smoot, CJJ Advocates for young people, justice and equity…[...]
By Angela Zusman |
Funders Collaborative on Youth Organizing |
From school discipline reform to access to higher learning, youth advocates have scored major policy victories across the country. In addition to the societal benefits, new research shows that youth organizing is really good for the young advocates themselves. An excellent report recently published by the Funders’ Collaborative on Youth…[...]