As we dive into the heart of the Youth Council 2025 program, our cohort of dedicated council members is already demonstrating the kind of thoughtful leadership and creative thinking that defines the spirit of youth-led change.
Over the past few weeks, our Youth Council has been busy building something powerful – not just projects, but purpose.
From day one, council members have leaned into deep conversations and active participation. They’ve tackled value-identifying activities, reflected on their personal goals, and practiced mindful listening while engaging in charting exercises that explored the lived experiences of youth in our community. These sessions focused on finding common ground, building trust, and identifying areas where change is most needed.
Talking About What Matters
In group discussions, youth spoke thoughtfully about a wide range of issues, including:
- Limited access to sports and extracurricular activities
- Low attendance rates and disengagement in schools
- Gaps in mental health support
- Lack of reliable transportation
- Challenged with staying informed about resources and various opportunities.
Through collaborative discussions and decision-making, the group narrowed their concerns into five main focus areas they’ll work on for the remainder of the program:
- Career Education
- Technology
- Transportation
- Mental Health
- Arts Access
These categories will shape the direction of their final group projects and guide the recommendations they present to stakeholders in just a few weeks.
Practicing Leadership in Real Time
In every session, Youth Council members have shown up not just to learn, but to lead. Members were introduced to the Youth Ladder of Participation, a visual tool that helps youth reflect on how deeply they are involved in decision-making processes.
When asked to self-assess, most Youth Council members identified themselves at level 7: “Young people’s initiative and leadership”. This means they see themselves not just as participants, but as drivers of change – initiating ideas, stepping into responsibility, and modeling collaboration for one another. And based on their energy and engagement so far, we couldn’t agree more!
What’s Next?
We’re excited to keep the momentum going. In the next few sessions:
- We’ll dedicate more time to work-team collaboration, allowing members to develop their final projects more intentionally.
- Members will begin translating ideas into action – researching, planning, and designing strategies to address their selected issue areas.
- Council will begin to outline real-world solutions and new initiatives that they will present to stakeholders at the end of the program.
The next phase is where conversation becomes strategy, and thoughtful observations turn into real recommendations.
Save the Date!
As we look ahead to our presentation day on August 25th, council members will begin sending out “Save the Date” postcards to key community stakeholders. Their work is about building connections, and this invitation is a tangible step towards ensuring the broader community hears and supports their vision.
The Youth Council is just getting started, but already they’re showing us what’s possible when young people are given space, support, and the trust to lead. We are so excited to see the thoughtful dialogue, strong teamwork, and leadership skills that will result in amazing results.
Help fuel the next generation of changemakers.
Your donation today supports the Eastside Pathways Youth Council and ensures future youth leaders have the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to turn ideas into action.