Teens, Meet Congress; Congress, Meet Teens

Every generation knows the sound of the previous generation grumbling “kids these days…” But Gen Z is ready to redefine that phrase by becoming a vocal and active generation.

Boys & Girls Clubs’ youth advocate programs empower young people to get involved in their communities and advocate for what matters most to them. Through the Think, Learn, Create Change program, teens develop their own community advocacy projects, creating solutions to issues they see in their community. Along the way, they develop valuable skills for life, like planning and strategy, communication, working with others, and more.
 

What is a Youth Advocate?

A youth advocate is a young person interested in advocacy — the work of supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy. Youth advocates are interested in creating positive change in the world. A youth advocate can also be a person of any age advocating for issues that are important to young people.

Every July, hundreds of Boys & Club teens get the opportunity of a lifetime to take their advocacy straight to Washington, D.C. at Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Summit for America’s Youth. There, they speak with members of Congress about issues on their mind and what they’re doing to address them back home.

“Before my time at the Boys & Girls Club, I did not feel I had a voice and I paid no attention to my community. The Club showed me I have a voice and how to use it. They allowed me to find my passion — food insecurity.”
– Holden J., age 16, Future Food Insecurity Advocate
Boys & Girls Club of Benton County, Arkansas

Youth Advocates Take D.C.

340 Boys & Girls Club teens. 160 advisors. Four action-packed days in Washington, D.C.

It’s important for young people to know that their voices matter to the future of our nation. This past July, hundreds of Club teens experienced just that, flocking to D.C. to lead productive conversations with members of Congress.

While there, teens from across the country bonded, diving into advocacy training, exploring careers in public service and connecting with adult advocates in speed mentoring sessions. And in between all their hard work, they soaked in our nation capital’s history, touring local monuments and Smithsonian museums.

Some of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national partners joined them on the Hill. Family Dollar’s support of the Summit helped pave the way for many youth and their advisors to attend this year.

Teens even participated in a digital social advocacy workshop led by influencer Nia Sioux, courtesy of Sprite and Family Dollar, to learn how to use their social platforms for good. Each teen walked away with a professionally filmed and edited video that they can use to increase awareness of their local advocacy project to share on social media.

“My Club afforded me the opportunity to serve as a page in the Florida Senate. Now, it’s a dream of mine to make history as Florida’s first woman of color Senate President.”
– Sierra M., age 18, Future Community Health Advocate
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Florida

What Teens Care About: Gen Z Advocacy Projects

Despite talk against their generation, Gen Z is more impassioned than ever to stand up to issues affecting themselves, their loved ones and their communities. In fact, 86% of youth say they can stand up for what is right, even if their friends disagree and 81% believe they can make a difference in their community.

With so many issues on young people’s minds today, picture this: a teen advocacy think tank where youth pitch their own solution-based projects already in action in their community. For three Boys & Girls Clubs, this wasn’t imagined — it was their chance to take on the Change-maker Challenge.

Narrowed down from 14 Club organizations, the three finalists were nervous as a panel of judges zeroed in on their projects’ motivations, model and potential impact. These teens emerged victorious, earning money to expand their advocacy efforts back home. Check out their winning ideas:

ClubHoused

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada
To enlighten more teens about the obstacles young people experiencing homelessness face, ClubHoused is on a mission to share resources, establish safe spaces for girls, and connect young people in need with support services.

Sinking Deeper into Mental Health

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Youth Program, Georgia
To strengthen ties between their military base and surrounding community, these Club teens are expanding resources for military families and kids, including creating safe spaces to discuss mental health.

Effects of Immigration Laws on Teens

Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, Texas
To better inform members of their community, teens at this Club are shining a light on how the U.S. immigration process can impact children’s social-emotional growth and development.

“No one can lead alone. Often, we picture someone boldly leading the pack with a sparkling vest on. We imagine the leader draws the most attention. But leaders are only as good as their relationships with those they lead. To be a leader is to listen, to concede, to stretch and strengthen.”
– Asha H.R., age 19, Youth Advocate
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Washington D.C.

America’s youth represent the future leaders and problem-solvers of our nation. Learn more about how Boys & Girls Clubs offer opportunities for youth to engage in their community and build skills to become tomorrow’s changemakers.