#WhatYouthNeed is this year’s theme for the Youth Leadership Institute 2021
Since 2013, CYCLE staff have been responsible for the design and facilitation of an annual Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) for Nellie Mae Education Foundation grantees and members of the New England Youth Organizing Network (NEYON). In February 2021, staff from CYCLE’s Youth Leadership Team selected 12 students from NEYON to be part of YPT for this year’s YLI. This team will plan and implement YLI with support from CYCLE staff.
This year the Youth Planning Team (YPT) selected the theme #WhatYouthNeed for the Youth Leadership Institute 2021. The Youth Planning Team wants to emphasize the importance of listening to what young people need, especially when trying to improve educational outcomes amidst a pandemic and uprisings. In addition to making sure that youth are heard, the YPT also wants to emphasize and focus on the importance of Mental Health, the School to Prison Pipeline and BIPOC representation in schools, providing YLI as a safe space for young people to discuss what they need to see changed for their communities to become a more equitable and unified space for their own well-being.
Xio Alvarado of Youth Civic Union, and Nitzalis Cabrera from Young Voices both share their reflections on youth voice and #WhatYouthNeed from their perspective as YPT Members.
Xio Alvarado - Youth Civics Union, Worcester, MA
“Youth are driven, motivated, and ready for action and that is why I believe youth voices and our theme for YLI this year are so important.”
As a student who has been heavily involved in my community I have always been called a leader by many and I strive and take pride by that. From youth activism to facilitating community workshops I have always done my part to positively impact others. As a LGBTQ+ POC I have witnessed first hand struggles and needs of minorities. I believe in unity and change for the better; it’s what keeps me motivated to keep working hard.
Youth are the future leaders of our nation; the ones who will one day take charge. I believe youth are able to give a perspective that others may not see and that perspective is what we need. If we truly want to see change done we need to hear from those who are young. growing, and experiencing what today’s age throws at them. Why? Well because younger generations might have new ideas that we may not have already thought of. Youth are driven, motivated, and ready for action and that is why I believe youth voices and our theme for YLI this year are so important.
Virtual Youth Planning Team Retreat in February, 2021.
Nitzalis Cabrera - Young Voices, Providence RI
Youth voice and #WhatYouthNeed are so important in our society because youth voices are always suppressed and it is our responsibility to express that our voices do matter and we can step up and make a change. Youth have stood and fought and will still continue to fight for topics that are important in our communities. When we put our minds together we accomplish great things. Youth have been a crucial part of incredibly big movements such as March for Our Lives.
The Youth Leadership Institute 2021 takes place virtually, August 2-5, 2021. Check the YLI page for more information.