Chicago "Youth Speak UP and Take the Lead" on June 16

Thumbnail photos from Youth Speak UP and Take the Lead Conference

Increasing attention is given by community health planners to engage community members in discourse on policy issues. Rarely are youth involved despite their potential role in community change. On June 16, 2011, a unique youth-driven event took place in the neighborhood of Humboldt Park in Chicago with the purpose of facilitating dialogue on relevant community issues across a diverse community and city stakeholder groups. Students from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, a Youth Connection Chicago Charter school, led a community conference called Youth Speak UP And Take the Lead! The community-based conference was a part of a University of Illinois of Chicago Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement-funded project created in partnership with the UIC School of Public Health faculty and students.

The conference focused on three policy issues relevant to the Humboldt Park community and the high school students. These topics included Sustainable Urban Agriculture, Family and Adolescent Literacy, and Arts and Cultural Product. The Urban Agriculture workshop addressed the food desert phenonmenon and the role of community gardens in providing community-level access to healthy foods. The Family Literacy workshop discussed how to build literacy at home including innovative approaches adolescents can take to reconnect with literacy. Lastly, the Arts and Culture workshop emphasized the significant value poetry and art production has in the life of youth and adults in Humboldt Park.

Youth voices are critical in community health planning and policy, yet rarely assessed. This is an innovative approach to engaging student leaders.