The mission of YES Institute’s Youth Advisory Leadership Council is: To empower and coach youth to lead YES Institute’s education, to support its vision of a community where all youth are free of suicide, violence, and discrimination.
“Before joining the Youth Advisory Leadership Council I felt isolated, like there was no one like me. Now I know there are people like me everywhere.” – Youth Leader
Throughout the school year, YES Institute’s education team led conversations with student groups, after-school programs, summer camps, and our very own Youth Advisory Leadership Council (YALC). Young people shared their experiences of feeling misunderstood, misgendered, and regularly outcasted for being themselves.
“I learned there is beauty in diversity, beauty in acceptance, and the importance of community.” – Youth Leader
Students at Mosaic Miami’s Camp Metrotown asked, who created the ideal human being and we asked, what does that look like. After pausing to reflect on those ideals, students shared that these standards of being (gender, race, orientation, socio-economic background) were unrealistic and unattainable.
“Some of my friends think it’s hilarious that I’m in the theater and not gay.” – Male Participant at Mosaic Miami’s MetroTown Summer Camp
When our team facilitates dialogues on gender, race, and orientation, youth sometimes share that their perception of self expression is based on their personalities. For example, in two different high schools, young men proudly showed off their nails with nail polish. There were discussions about what it meant for each of them to have colorful nails especially as young men in the schools. When having this discussion with our YALC members, one said it was the teachers, parents, and administrators who often have a more difficult time with young people’s appearance.
“I realized that I shouldn’t be afraid to open up and reach out when I’m feeling stressed. There’s always someone I can talk to and there’s an amazing community in YALC!” – Youth Leader
Throughout the school year, YALC would meet twice a month on zoom and once a semester in person. Meeting on zoom did not prevent them from showing up as their authentic selves. One of our Youth Leaders blossomed over the course of this last school year, starting with the camera off, to slowly progressing to turning the camera on. Eventually they shared about their day, and their journey through gender.
“The single most powerful impact I’ve had from YALC was learning the fact that I’m not all alone, and I have something in common with the people in YALC. It made me feel like I belong.” – Youth Leader
For many of our YALC members, finding connections with the pride community has become challenging and necessary. A few of our youth leaders identify as non-binary and/or transgender. YALC provides them a welcoming space to gain insights and tools for their growth as young people.
To learn more about our YALC Program, go to: https://yesinstitute.org/yalc/ and email [email protected] for more information about our other programs.