Program Year 2023-24 Reflections
As Program Manager for YLI, I was determined to create a transformative and meaningful experience for our youth inspired by my own personal experience in YLI when I was a youth participant. We graduated our latest youth leadership cohort in May 2024 and selected our new youth mentors last month. I would like to share some reflections and accomplishments from this program year.
Our dedicated program staff worked tirelessly to design and implement a curriculum that integrated new topics and infused social justice and racial equity. With our youth mentors, we introduced concepts like Ubuntu from Desmond Tutu and Beloved Community from bell hooks. These discussions broadened the mentors' perspectives and deepened their understanding of the world, which they then applied to their preparation and planning for the leadership retreats throughout the program year.
One of YLI’s components is Action Teams – these sessions allow youth participants to explore, identify, and understand community issues, and then lead and engage community members in impactful service projects. By recognizing their power to drive change, they continuously learn, grow, and transform systems affecting their communities. As part of Action Teams, we hosted an event called “Changemakers Event'' where local organizations and community leaders were invited to share the work they’re doing to inspire our youth. The organizations and community leaders included Fresh Energy, NAMI, the National Bullying Prevention Center, Theater Mu, Carlo Franco, Gender Justice, and the Frogtown Neighborhood Association. This event was also part of our effort to expand community outreach and build networks for future service projects.
There were several memorable field trips this year: the Mental Health Action Team participated in Mental Health Day at the Capitol; the Racism Action Team attended the play "A Unique Assignment" at the History Theatre which provided insights into racism from various social perspectives; and our youth visited the History Center to learn about Minnesota’s history and cultural communities, reflecting on histories and absent narratives.
The Mental Health action team at the MN State Capitol.
The Racism action team at the History Theatre.
A particularly special event that I proudly planned in partnership with the youth mentors was the “Inspiration Dinner.” This event allowed our youth to nominate an adult who inspires positivity in them. We invited friends, family, funders, and community members to celebrate these inspirational figures and listened to heartfelt appreciations from the youth. Many guests shared that it was an emotional and powerful experience, and it was heartwarming to hear the youth's gratitude.
Thank you to our alumni, board members, volunteers, partners, funders, and donors for making this year possible! Their commitment and belief in our organization’s mission infuses us with the love, care and enthusiasm to make a lasting impact on the young lives in our community.
It was my first time being honored as an Inspirational Adult at the Inspiration Dinner.
