Adults spend a lot of time discussing young people – what we need, what we should do, what worries them and what
they hope we become. Those conversations matter. But something important is missing when young people
ourselves are not part of them.
Young Voices is Neighborhood Life’s commitment to making room for young people to speak honestly about our
experiences, ideas, concerns and ambitions. It is not about handing every decision over to teenagers. It is about
recognizing that good decisions are stronger when the people affected by them have an opportunity to be heard.
Real listening means asking a question without already deciding what the answer should be. A teenager may care
about transportation, a safe place to gather, mental wellness, jobs, sports, technology, relationships, school pressure
or simply having more positive things to do.
Adults may see one problem while young people experience another. Both perspectives can be valuable. When we
put them together, we gain a clearer picture of what is actually happening.
Youth Voices is Neighborhood Life’s commitment to making room for young people to speak honestly about their
experiences, ideas, concerns and ambitions. It is not about handing every decision to teenagers. It is about
recognizing that good decisions are stronger when the people affected by them have an opportunity to be heard.
Speaking up is itself a life skill. Young people who learn to explain an idea, disagree respectfully, ask questions, listen
to others and advocate for something they care about are practicing communication and leadership.
Youth Voices can include short interviews, community questions, essays, videos, podcasts, photography, art and
moderated conversations. A young person does not need to be the loudest person in the room to have something
worth saying.