Organizing with youth Fresno 2018

Meaningfully Engaging Youth

What does organizing youth means?

• Giving them the confidence
• Making the connection why the topic is important.
• Allowing youth to choose the topics they want to advocate for.
• Making them aware that this is their life/future. Making them accountable.
• Empower them to believe their voice carries weight.

What are our struggles with connecting with youth?

• Change the culture - youth and adults have to be held accountable.
• Come back and debrief with youth and employees.
• Don’t allow your work to become a checklist.

Who does it mean to be a youth mentor?

• Mentors can be unofficial. Someone can inspire and give you a healthy space unofficially through words, hearing you and/or example.
• We don’t always realize how someone impacted us until we reflect back.
• It’s important to always move like a mentor because you never know who’s soaking in your energy.
• Invest in the parents/guardians as much as the youth.