What if adults didn’t just invite us to the table, but actually pulled up a chair next to us?
“Too often, we’re told to wait our turn, to “gain more experience,” or to accept that things are just the way they are. But the truth is, we are the experts of our own experiences. We’re the ones walking through schools that are underfunded, navigating systems that weren’t built for us, and trying to survive in a world that doesn’t always see us, let alone hear us. And still, every day, we show up with ideas, with energy, and with a deep desire to change things not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.
Catalyzing youth voice isn’t just about letting us speak, it’s about believing that what we say matters. It’s about investing in our leadership, backing our ideas with real resources, and walking alongside us as we work to address the issues impacting our lives.
We don’t need adults to save us, we need adults who believe in us enough to stand with us. When that happens, we don’t just imagine change, we make it real. And that’s the kind of world we’re trying to build.”