C2C Staff and Youth Council Member Attend the 2022 Aspen Institute Convening
United Youth Leadership Council (UYLC) member Myleigha Truitt, Youth on the Rise Facilitator, Caroline Lewis, and C2C Data Analyst, Desiree Collins attended the 2022 Aspen Institute Opportunity Youth Forum Convening in San Francisco from May 23-25. The convening brings together backbone staff and service providers from across the country to share learnings to change systems and improve outcomes for Opportunity Youth both locally and nationally.
The convening featured numerous sessions and workshops facilitated by leaders across the Bay Area and centered youth voice and empowerment. For our partnership, it was an opportunity to make critical connections with national partners that can inform strategies for our work, learn more about how to leverage data for action, and share the success of C2C’s Youth on the Rise.
Attending for the first time, Myleigha Truitt shared the importance of this learning and networking opportunity.
“We are not going to change systems if we don’t take the time to understand the meaning of the work we are doing,” said Truitt.
One of the biggest takeaways for Truitt was a reminder of the importance of incorporating youth voice in the work.
“We need to always remember to bring youth to the table,” said Truitt. “You should never be making a decision for youth without youth. If they do not have the tools let’s give them the tools. Pass the torch!”
Truitt and the backbone team are excited to share learnings and leverage connections made at the convening to deepen community engagement, mobilize action for systems transformation, and increase resources to support sustainable change in our community.
