Our First Statewide Youth Gathering
We hosted our first Statewide Youth Gathering on Friday, April 11th at Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT. The theme was “A Call to Unity: The Power of Connections in Activism”. The gathering was planned by a group of twelve youth over the span of six months. There were about 200 attendees (mostly youth) from all over the state who joined us for a day of learning, connections, and joy. It served as the kickoff of our Youth Social Justice Network which is a network of social justice, racial justice, and BIPOC affinity space clubs in Vermont. If you’re in a club and haven’t filled out our mapping survey, please complete with your club! The event was in partnership with UP for Learning, Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network, and Outright Vermont.
The objectives of the day were:
Creating connection to unify Vermont social justice clubs
Sharing skills and resources for self-advocacy and making change in schools
Cultivating joy and energy for our work
Strengthening support systems and raising awareness
Nearly all workshops were led by youth. The workshops offered were:
Seeding Change- How to Form an Impactful Activist Organization as a High School Student
Palestinian History and the Intersections of Social Movements
Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions
S/HEZAMM’s Collage of Hope and Resilience
Adult Support Space
Ropes Course
Social Justice Topics Presented by Elementary Students
Pa’lante TJ: Building Youth Power Through YPAR
Design in Place
Benefits of Teaching HHB: And how you can do it too
Contra Dancing: Movement of Community
There was African food from Le Bon GoûT and Thai food from Bangkok Thai Food Express for lunch. Attendees had the option to screen print a shirt to take home with a design by Burlington student, Coretta Ngoulaki. We offered lunch conversation groups which included a BIPOC affinity space, disability discussion space, and a space for organizing a statewide walkout.
Here is what some participants said about the gathering:
“The pacing and variety of workshops was great. Excellent food! It was nice to give people a choice of free time and structure at lunch.”
“I loved meeting new people and learning about other social justice clubs.”
“I just appreciated the conversation and hearing people's point of view and thoughts.”
“I liked the workshops, they were a lot of fun and it gave me opportunities to interact with other youth I would not have otherwise interacted with as much as I did.”
“I had a lot of fun learning more deeply about certain topics, hearing other people’s opinions on them, and meeting people!”
The Statewide Youth Gathering also included a separate training which groups of students applied to. The Coalition for Transforming School Safety planned and hosted “Train-the-Trainer: Empowering Youth to address Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying”. The purpose of this train-the-trainer was to provide youth the necessary tools and language to lead trainings at their schools. We welcomed students directly impacted by bullying and harassment as well as allies who want to make change on this issue in their school. Twenty students took part in this paid leadership opportunity. The workshops offered were 1) bystander intervention, 2) know your rights, and 3) advocacy initiatives in schools.
