How does youth-led social change benefit young people and communities? This fall and winter we partnered with the Eastern Connecticut Community Foundation and the Connecticut Community Foundation to facilitate community dialogues about impact of youth-led change.
The workshop reviewed what youth-led social change means, provided examples of youth-led change efforts right here in CT, and talked about the ways that youth-led social change advances core youth development competencies. The presentation was followed by small and large group discussion where participants explored ways in which youth voice could be strengthened in their organization and opportunities and barriers for increasing youth-led social change in their communities. A key takeaway from both discussions: in order to move beyond tokening youth voices, adults must be willing to step back, meet youth where they are, and share power.