Youth Voices for Change 2024 Welcome Meeting Slides

Building off of our work with Youth Voices for Change, in partnership with The Garden and local youth-facing organizations, Prevention Institute organized an in-person Youth Summit for students in 8th-12th grade with an interest in community safety and mental health to connect on their shared interests and goals. With 33 youth from across the Greater Houston area convened at the Summit, attendees engaged in a grounding exercise, facilitated peer discussions, and arts activities to empower and inspire youth leaders to develop their voice and vision to advocate for improved mental health and well-being in their schools and communities.  

 

Youth Voices for Change was launched by Prevention Institute and the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health to give space for youth to connect and strategize about issues regarding mental health, community conditions, and advocacy in the Greater Houston area and Texas as a whole. In 2024, we hosted free, virtual workshops around topics like advocating for change within school systems, sharing testimony with school boards and elected officials, and becoming leaders and champions for youth mental health. These workshops were designed for high school and college-aged youth, and featured expert speakers like Texas Freedom Network, UT Health School of Public Health, and facilitator Odin Zackman to provide practical tips and guidance for youth to become advocates for change.