Importance of Youth Voice
As part of the Family Voices Network of Erie County, we also have a youth group. The youth group is called “Youth Empowerment Advocacy.” The youth group is open to any youth who is involved in any system of care. By system of care, we mean if the youth is age 14-21 and they have emotional, behavioral or social needs they are invited to join this group.
The youth group provides youth with:
- An opportunity to meet and share experiences weekly.
- Information to help them function better with their friends, family and others – improve social skills.
- It provides a way for the youth to be a part of something where their voice is heard.
The youth voice is important to the Wraparound Process and this group has various activities to help youth with self-esteem, social outings, education and learning.
Youth can participate in:
- Participate in education and training classes to become empowered and educated on how to become advocates for themselves or others.
- Opportunity to participate in business meetings where they start to learn and understand how to use their voice within the system of care.
- Work with social marketing staff to be included in events through exercising their creativity and having their voices heard.
- Participate in social activities
Youth play a part in the system by:
- They identify the goals of their youth group
- They start learning how to work together as part of a team.
- Youth learn the importance of their voice.
- They learn how to speak clearly about their wants, needs and goals.
Any agency who feels they have youth who may benefit from joining the youth group are encourage to fill out the Youth Empowerment Advocacy Referral Form. The youth coordinator will follow-up with the referring person and let you know of the next scheduled meeting for the youth to attend and join. You may download the referral form and fax or email to the youth coordinator listed on the form.
All youth meetings are held at:
Gloria J. Parks Community Center
3242 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14215
How often: Every Thursday
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Link to: View the Youth Brochure
If youth are working with a skill-builder, mentor or counselor, etc they are also encouraged to attend with the youth as well.