We are so excited to announce that we will be hosting our first Statewide Youth Gathering in partnership with UP for Learning, Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network, and Outright Vermont!
Registration will open soon. Stay tuned!
Who: This gathering is for youth in social justice clubs and affinity groups in schools. This may include and is not limited to racial justice clubs, environmental justice clubs, gender and sexuality alliances, and youth voice clubs.
When: Friday, April 3rd 9am-2pm
Where: The Creative Campus at Goddard - Plainfield, VT
Theme: “Stronger Together: Uniting for Justice in a Time of Repression”
The national attack on our rights and wellbeing is being felt locally. We’ve seen detainment and deportations of Vermont students, the removal of programs that support equity, challenges to student film screenings, and continued bullying and harassment. Basic needs like healthcare, food, and housing are being gutted and made inaccessible to many. We’ve also seen young people fight back by creating inclusive curriculum for their schools and organizing walkouts to demand the protection of vulnerable students. We are organizing this Statewide Youth Gathering because moving together makes us stronger and we need to protect those who are most vulnerable. In the words of Alice Wong “Advocacy is not just a task for charismatic individuals or high-profile community organizers. Advocacy is for all of us; advocacy is a way of life. It is a natural response to the injustices and inequality in the world.” We will uplift stories of Vermont youth who are uniting for justice and learn from our ancestors and past movements. Join us to build solidarity, share skills, and strengthen our resolve to fight for social justice.
Conference Objectives:
Creating connection to unify Vermont social justice clubs
Sharing skills, and resources for self-advocacy and making collective change in schools
Cultivating joy and energy for our work
Sharing stories from across the state to foster solidarity and strengthen our resolve to fight for social justice
Accessibility: We will center accessibility. The space is wheelchair accessible. This will be a masked event. There will be a low sensory space. We’ll have food available for a range of dietary restrictions. We’ll ask about other accessibility needs in the registration form.
What To Expect:
Music, art, and fun
Youth-centered spaces
Affinity spaces for different identities
Spacious timing
Accessibility of space, language, food, childcare, and transportation
Youth and youth-adult led workshops
Cost: This is a free gathering for everyone who's school is unable to pay for them to attend. For groups that are able to pay to attend there is a suggested cost of $25 per person attending.
Has your club completed our mapping survey? Fill out the survey, so we can build a Youth Social Justice Network!
Here is a flyer you can share.
Apply to lead a workshop!
We are looking for youth and youth-adult led workshops for the gathering that can capture our theme of “Stronger Together: Uniting for Justice in a Time of Repression”. Have you organized a walkout to protect vulnerable students? Have you stood up to leaders who were pushing for compliance? Have you fought for inclusive curriculum? We want to hear about it! Apply to lead a workshop by Feb. 11th. Not sure about your idea? Email kayla.edjvt@gmail.com to ask for feedback.
Supporting Partners
