Projections estimate the United States will be home to approximately 100 million young people under age 24 during the next decade. Engaging youth in policy development and program design is an opportunity to equip young people with skills and learning experiences. It is also a critical element of developing effective, responsive, and equitable programs and policies with the help of youth’s insights, observations, and innovations.

Pathways to Resilience hosted a conversation about youth engagement with Mayda Berrios of In Her Shoes, LLC, Lauren Leonardis of Mother and Changemaker Consulting and the Technical Assistance Collaborative, and Tim Woody of the New Jersey Office of Resilience, all of whom have personally and professionally engaged in youth-driven initiatives. We discussed strategies, successes, challenges, and opportunities for state and organizational leaders to meaningfully and intentionally engage young people in their communities.

Watch the full session and read key takeaways below.

1. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

  • Clearly define your organization or agency’s strategy, capacity, and budget before recruiting youth to join.
  • Identify a primary person responsible for overseeing youth initiatives.
  • Train your team to engage with young people as they are, not as you expect or wish them to be.

2. Practice Transparency

  • Set clear expectations when recruiting young people: what will they be working on? How many hours should they be expected to engage? Will they receive compensation?
  • Clarify the nature and scope of the youth role and avoid overpromising.
  • Determine how many youth you plan to recruit before launching recruitment efforts.
  • Embrace what feels meaningful to you.

3. Invest in Youth Skill Building

  • Set clear expectations when recruiting young people: what will they be working on? How many hours should be expected to engage? Will they receive compensation?
  • Clarify the nature and scope of the youth role and avoid overpromising.
  • Determine how many youth you plan to recruit before launching recruitment efforts.

4. Celebrate Successes

  • Share what’s working! Acknowledge progress made and share milestones within your organization and publicly to inspire others. Celebrating the wins can provide momentum and a sense of power to make change.
  • Identify a champion – a person internal or external to the organization who will amplify and uplift the hard work and successes of the young people on your team.

Program Spotlights

  • In Delaware, peer-to-peer support and role models have been extremely helpful for showing youth that, “If I can do it, you can too.”
  • New Jersey is piloting a program called “Enlightenment” – a peer-to-peer program for guidance, advice, and empowerment strategies that is being piloted in nine counties.
  • Youth in New Jersey came together to create the “Siblings Bill of Rights” law that ensures siblings in foster care can see each other or stay together.

Meet the Speakers

Mayda Berrios, MSW
Motivational Public Speaker | In Her Shoes, LLC

Mayda Berrios, a former youth who navigated the challenges of foster care, holds a master’s degree in social work. As a dynamic and compassionate national public speaker, she travels extensively, leveraging her expertise to engage in events and programs that inspire and empower youth. Mayda’s commitment to fostering positive change serves as a beacon of encouragement for young individuals striving to achieve their dreams against all odds.

Lauren Leonardis
Founder & Independent Consultant | Mother & Changemaker Consulting

Lauren Leonardis, founder of Mother and Changemaker Consulting, is an independent consultant specializing in authentic and sustainable engagement and youth homelessness issues. She uses her own lived experience in homelessness to inform and motivate her. She is a nationally recognized expert on supporting youth leadership as well as Youth Action Board governance structures. Lauren is committed to changing the systems that impact our most underserved, historically oppressed, and vulnerable people.

Timothy Woody
Community Youth Navigator | New Jersey Office of Resilience

Tim Woody has been working for the Office of Resilience for four years. As a Community Youth Navigator, he oversees youth partnerships and youth activities for New Jersey. Mr. Woody’s advocacy started when he was put in care at age 17. In 2016, he was asked to speak for National Adoption Day and has since been a voice of encouragement and advocacy for youth and their families across New Jersey, speaking in all 21 state counties. Tim has worked on many projects, including efforts to keep siblings together and finding strategies to incorporate youth voice. His motto is, “In order to be heard, you must obtain a seat at the table.”

Register Here

Event Info

  • Location: Virtual
  • Date: Dec 7, 2023
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
  • Phone: