A Conversation with Chicago Teens About Youth Engagement
Jill Young, Henry Alexander, and Michelle Boyd-Brown
American Institutes for Research
Youth engagement is a win-win proposition. Youth benefit from meaningful opportunities that foster learning and help them develop skills, habits, mindsets, and identities. Adults enhance their own competencies, learn to better understand and value youth, and increase their commitment to their organizations. Organizations can develop services that are more relevant and responsive to young people’s strengths and challenges.
After developing the latest Readiness Projects’ brief — Youth Engagement in Practice — that highlights lessons learned and real-life examples for practitioners from six youth development organizations in Chicago, our team at AIR wanted to hear from young people directly.
We had that opportunity when three youth from Mikva Challenge shared their thoughts on youth engagement with us. Mikva Challenge involves young people in civic engagement through hands-on, project-based learning that deeply transforms students’ civic attitudes, skills, and sense of agency.
When you hear the term “youth engagement,” what comes to mind?
ELY: Something that comes to my mind when I hear “youth engagement” is youth having a voice over the problems that happen in real life, such as gun violence and other subjects. Youth being an impact in the decisions that most adults have roles on.
EZZARD: What comes to mind when I hear youth engagement is youth coming together and engaging in an activity, all working together to solve a problem.
GREY: “Youth engagement” relates to youth activism within the community. They are attuned with issues most prevalent within their communities, and they are unafraid to speak up against them.
When thinking about your role in Mikva’s work, how does your organization show you that your knowledge and perspective are valued? What is an example of this?
ELY: My organization shows me that my knowledge and perspective are valued because they always try to support me in my ideas. Pushing me to participate more during sessions and trying to help others. An example of this is when I‘m feeling really down, my organization tries to uplift me, and they are always open to new ideas.
Are there times when you feel like your voice isn’t being heard? If so, what changes can adults in your organization make to be better listeners?
ELY: There have been times because most adults feel like they can take over every conversation adults are having with anybody. Or they think because we are youth, we aren’t mature enough to have a voice. Adults can change that by not making it weird and [by] talking to us like other adults.
GREY: Yes. A lot of adults take the time to let you share your ideas, but most of the time they don’t actually listen. They just sit there and nod their heads.
How does Mikva involve young people, like yourself, in shaping or making decisions? What is an example of this?
EZZARD: How my organization involves young people is by hearing out the type of problems that we have noticed and that we want to change. They let us talk to high-power people so that we know our voices are heard. Just like when I was in the summer jobs, I was working on the council that involved CPS [Chicago Public Schools], and we talked to high-power people on what we think CPS should change in order to make it better.
GREY: Embrace an organizational culture of vulnerability, where adults listen to young people, even when it is uncomfortable. Recognize that youth engagement is for the whole organization, not just the youth development department while also giving them responsibility and voice in decision-making.
What does it look like for adults to share power with youth?
GREY: Sharing power involves specific actions such as showing mutual respect, giving young people a voice in decisions, collaborating in solving problems, and creating leadership opportunities for young people.
As you looked through the youth engagement brief, what stood out to you?
ELY: Designing meaningful opportunities because there were plenty of opportunities that youth make. Mostly being interested in the topic that they talk about. Valuing youths’ time and being considered from each other.
What advice do you have for organizations that want to engage youth in more meaningful ways?
GREY: Organizations can involve youth in design and decision-making from the beginning; have a clear purpose and through an implementation plan; identify and secure necessary resources; empower young people by offering them meaningful roles that align with their skills, experience, and interests; and provide young people with the support and training they need to succeed.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
EZZARD: What I would like to mention is that there are multiple youths out there who like to take charge and who actually want to make a change for the future generation.
We would like to thank Ely, Ezzard, and Grey from Mikva Challenge for sharing their perspectives.
Learn more about youth engagement strategies by checking out AIR’s brief. You can also learn more about young people’s recent work with Mikva Challenge here.
For additional resources on youth engagement, check out Youth.gov, Youth Engaged 4 Change, and Youth Adult Partnerships.
For an example how youth voice can be lifted up, check out Unmasked Stories of Inequity, a provocative film series from our partners at the National Urban League.
