An extraordinary opportunity has presented itself to the movers and shakers of Eugene today. Youth from eight different organizations are connecting and presenting about issues they feel strongly about at the Youth Empowerment Summit. All too often it is said that youth are apathetic, that they don’t focus their energy on important issues. On the other side, youth can see adults as uncaring about the issues they face, and uninterested when they have something to say. Youth have a hard time understanding how their voice is valued. Today brings the change to break the stereotypes of youth and adults, moving all of us to affect positive change for our community.
The Youth Empowerment Summit has been created to give the youth a voice in the decisions that affect them. Youth representatives will present on topics of community leadership through creative expression, LGBTQ youth, homelessness, sexual health, formation of a youth council, advocacy on behalf of immigrant rights, mental health and non-violence through the creation of a multicultural center downtown. All these presentations will have been made and presented by youth to teach us about each subject in a dynamic way.
What does it take for a community to support its future? It starts with listening to youth that have something to say, so they recognize that their actions can affect positive change. Please consider supporting your youth and learning about issues that affect all of us at the Shedd from noon until 7 p.m., today.
Matt Honoré
AmeriCorps VISTA
Lane County Department of Children and Families