Building Programs Where Young People Lead

Overview:

The S.I.M.B.A. and A.S.E.T. programs have been steadfast in providing support in NYC's homeless shelters. In 2019, in collaboration with Kyndred, the innovative Youth Organized to Lead Others (Y.O.L.O.) program was launched, a distinctive 10-week initiative aimed at empowering youth to address pivotal topics and spearhead peer workshops.

YOLO students organized a group to join the Black Lives matter protests in the summer of 2020

Challenge:

We were propelled by a dual mission: to forge a comprehensive leadership framework for underserved youth and to empower them with the acumen to conduct workshops focusing on urgent societal matters such as rights awareness and police interactions.

The inaugural YOLO cohort.

The Y.O.L.O. Journey:

Y.O.L.O. emerged as a transformative platform for 17 youth, offering them the aptitude and insight to lead dialogues on pertinent issues, facilitating 30 hours of insightful peer-led conversations on fostering safer police engagements.

Navigating through a Pandemic:

With the onset of COVID-19, we seamlessly shifted to a virtual model, enabling Y.O.L.O. to engage 15 students across eight weeks in enriched learning experiences, with each participant receiving compensation. These students community hosted service events, voter registration programs and youth rallies (in real life and online).

YOLO students as at a voter registration event in 2021.

Cultivating Empowering Conversations:

Y.O.L.O. transcended academic boundaries. It cultivated a nurturing environment for high school boys and girls to delve into the nuances of maturing as civically engaged youth, spurring individual development and community bonding.

Partnership with Thriving Communities Coalition:

Joining forces with the Thriving Communities Coalition, we aimed to broaden our reach. The collaboration envisions instructing 40 additional students in peer mediation and conflict resolution, aligning with the overarching city strategy to mitigate violence in high schools facing challenges.

Conclusion:

Y.O.L.O. stands as a revolutionary beacon of youth empowerment, enriching underserved youth with leadership prowess, nurturing essential dialogues, and demonstrating adaptability in the face of adversities like the pandemic. The initiative by Wonder Works is sowing seeds of lasting change and instilling a legacy of leadership and resilience within underserved communities.