Imagine you have had everything tangible taken from you. You are in a new place, being told what to do and when to do it every moment.
Where is your significance as a person when you feel like no one wants to hear what you have to say? Where is your voice?
Youth Voice has begun!
Perhaps a child has been given a label or has record detailing a portion of their past but what if youth are given an opportunity to share who they really are!
Youth Voice begins with a 6-week training program, for a maximum of 10 youth at a time, who accurately represent our population. Each youth was strategically chosen by senior leaders who recognize leadership potential in that individual.
Youth Leadership Council is being developed on the premise of CARE principles. We are relationship based, developmentally focused and ecologically oriented. This first group of youth WILL grow together, hone skills they never knew they had or were given the chance to develop. They will begin with adult and youth co-leaders.
A number of youths in this group will then be offered a Youth Ambassador position within the agency. This is a paid position where youth will be able to gain new skills by providing family tours on campus, presenting during orientation, act as a mentor to new admits and various other opportunities.
Remember that person while you were growing up who told you “you can do it!” Encouraged you to do better and then developed that potential to be the person you are today. Will YOU stand alongside these young individuals and aid in their progression to become leaders of a new generation?