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Throughout my career, I’ve been constantly inspired by the transformative power of youth voice. Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but they also are actively shaping the present. By listening to them and advocating for their rights, adults can empower young people to express themselves, participate in decision-making processes, and challenge the systems that impact their lives.
My journey is influenced by personal experiences, through my own upbringing and through witnessing the struggles of youth in my community. Growing up, I did not receive comprehensive health education in high school, so I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring all students are equipped with the support, tools and resources they need to make healthy decisions. As a young person, I remember the times when I was truly heard by adults, and other times not being taken seriously. Both experiences equally impacted me, profoundly shaping my life choices, positively and negatively. Those memories fuel my commitment to create inclusive spaces where young voices are heard, valued, and respected.
One of the ways we engage youth voice at Peer Health Exchange is through the PHE Youth Advisory Board (YAB). We launched the YAB in 2020, representing young people of various identities and regions. Each cohort plays a vital role in shaping PHE's initiatives and programs. YAB members participate in crucial organization components such as providing programmatic feedback and presenting in board meetings. They also guide content and user-experience on PHE’s digital platform selfsea.org, and evaluate and make recommendations on programming, curriculum design, and outreach strategies. Their contributions ensure that PHE's initiatives remain relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of young people.
It’s important to work alongside young people to address challenges facing them today, from the changing digital landscape, to mental health issues to social inequalities. Adults must provide youth with support and resources while helping them overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Peer Health Exchange’s Community Youth Advocacy group provides a platform for young advocates, aged 13-18, to voice their concerns and actively make positive change. Participants meet to identify obstacles facing their peers and communities, co-create solutions, and implement these mechanisms to affect change.
A final example of the power of youth advocacy in action is SHAPE America engaging young people directly for their input on the National Standards on health education. As a member of the SHAPE America taskforce, I led the first ever health curriculum review session with middle school and high school students. These incredible young people reflected on the positive and negative aspects of their health education experience in school, provided guidance on inclusive language, and their perspectives on attaining health-related skills.
In essence, youth advocacy is central to my career because it aligns with my values of justice, empowerment, and community engagement. Adults must listen to the hopes, dreams and fears of the next generation. I aspire to create a positive impact on the lives of young people and to be a catalyst for change, advocating for a world where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.