As we say goodbye to 2021, and hello to 2022, we are celebrating all that Youth MOVE has accomplished over this last year! In some ways 2021 has been a continuation of the pivots required of us all in 2020 – navigating the demands of continued youth engagement on virtual platforms and offering supports to young people as we experience a global pandemic, and in other ways, 2021 brought us new work, focus, and accomplishments.
We want to share a few of the 2021 highlights that exemplify our mission to put youth voice on the megaphone!
Rockstar Awards
For the second year in a row, we hosted our Rockstar Awards on Twitch.tv with our 2021 RAVE. Each year, we celebrate youth, supportive adults, and organizations working to promote youth voice and change mental health & youth-serving systems. We were honored to share the virtual stage with these champions to hear their stories and feel the impact that they have had this year.
If you have not had the opportunity to hear these amazing stories, you can watch the 2021 RAVE below, and check out our spotlight features on all the awardees.
New Programs & Products:
Last year, we joined the National Training & Technical Assistance Center and offered opportunities to build relationships with youth coordinators during monthly Youth Program Office Hours (which will continue in 2022). Youth MOVE National sat down to have conversations with youth on a variety of topics in our new podcast series including “Using Creative Expression to Approach Youth Engagement” [w/Mariah Larkin from Youth MOVE Minnesota] and “Youth Making an Impact Through Civic Engagement” [w/Thu Nguyen who ran for Worcester, MA city council at large, and won!]. We were proud to sit with these phenomenal young people and hear their stories. We have already launched Season 2 of Audio Stories – Youth Taking Action! Check back on the website every other month for a new episode!
We shared our expertise with the field through a series of “5 Things Digest,” which are shared through the NTTAC email list. Topics included “Family Involvement During Transition to Adulthood,” “Increasing Youth and Family Engagement in System of Care Initiatives,” and “Maximizing the Success of Young Adult Professionals with Lived Experience.” Join the mailing list to hear more with us this year! Also, be on the lookout for “5 Things Digest” mini-versions coming to our social media in 2022!
[Here’s a sneak peak]
The Youth MOVE Change Initiative
With support from the Upswing Fund, we launched a new program to invest in the youth peer support workforce specifically for LGBTQ+ & BIPOC youth ages 16-25. Youth MOVE developed a new youth advisory council, launched a peer support fellowship program, provided youth peer support training, and ongoing coaching for youth peers. The work of the YMCI is part of an ongoing commitment to create spaces that are anti-racist, challenge systems, and expand inclusion and diversity within our work. Be on the lookout for more events such as the Ableism 101 and YMCI peer coaching opportunities on the YMCI website.
New Chapters
We want to take a moment to recognize our amazing chapter network! Throughout the nation, YM chapters are working in communities, directly making an impact on the lives of youth and young adults. We are excited to celebrate new chapters that have joined the Youth MOVE Family. We also launched our brand new Chapter database to share more information with everyone about our wonderful network!
Welcome to:
NAMI Sarasota Youth MOVE – Sarasota, FL
My Girls, Inc. Bigger Picture Youth MOVE Chapter – Conyers, GA
Empowering Voices a Tulsa Youth MOVE Chapter – Tulsa, OK
Mingo County Youth MOVE – Gilbert, WV
Mighty Minds Youth MOVE – Oceana, WV
Concord University Youth MOVE – Athens, WV
Youth MOVE Peer Center
In 2021, we were able to create more peer support training opportunities. Over the last year and continuing this year, we have been able to offer our Youth Advocate Leadership Academy (YALA). Check the website for details on our February cohort openings! The Peer Center saw more successes in our annual learning community where 10 agencies from all over the nation came together to talk about their organizational readiness in regards to peer support by taking the Youth Voice Agency Level Assessment (YVAL). We are looking forward to future cohorts to help expand peer services across the United States!
Remember, if you are looking for additional support or resources, you can request TA through our Peer Center TA form!
THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who connected with Youth MOVE National over the year including youth who participated on a variety of advisory boards, organizations that shared space to talk about how to elevate youth voice, and those who helped us work towards our mission to change systems! Let’s continue this great work in 2022!
