Youth & Engagement Programs - The Aspen Institute

12/28/2018

AspenX Chicago alumna and Saint Ignatius College Prep - Chicago Junior Taylor Trimble reflects on the long history of racial injustice and how diverse young people can come together to create a better future.

"My beliefs and my hunger for change have great potential to ultimately ignite change in society."

12/17/2018

For youth, by youth. Mahika Halepete is traveling around the world to empower other young leaders to take charge and make change.

Mahika Halepete embodies values-based leadership and is empowering other young people to be changemakers.

11/06/2018

This past weekend, AspenX partnered with The Academy Group to take a deep dive into race and equity in Chicago. Huge thank you to the Chicago History Museum for sparking our discussion and learning!

(PC: www.michaelcourier.com)

10/23/2018

Attention high-school sophomores and juniors! The Youth Collaboratory applications are open now! This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be connected to a network of incredible change-makers and gain the skills and connections for a lifetime of civic power.

09/12/2018

California students are working together to help their peers combat mental health issues.

Local students who serve on the student advisory board for the Menlo Park mental health advocacy group SafeSpace have made five short videos they released this week to coincide with National Su***de Prevention Week.

09/10/2018

Thousands of student athletes across Chicago are helping their community by raising awareness about teen su***de ***dePreventionMonth

More than 2,000 student athletes from 64 Chicago area high schools set out to collect 3,100 sweatshirts to represent the total number of daily teen su***de attempts in the U.S.

09/07/2018

"Students of color are disproportionately impacted at every point in the [school-to-prison] pipeline, resulting in devastating and far-reaching impacts. So what will happen when our teachers are armed?" asks Palos Verdes High School student, Ryan Pascal

As a high school student of color, I've grown up with gun violence and discrimination. We don't need new gun policies that put our lives at risk.

09/06/2018

College tuition's increasing price tag isn't just costing students their financial well-being, it's also impacting their academic achievement. We can't afford to continue putting up barriers to young people's educational success.

Low-income students can no longer count on working their way through college, according to a new research from Georgetown University.

09/05/2018

Just like students need teachers to thrive academically, they also need mental health professionals to thrive socially and emotionally. We need school staff that supports the whole child.

Federal data indicate that one in five school children need mental health services. As this article from Tennessee demonstrates, however, many schools fall short of providing the support their students need. Referrals to outside nonprofits help, but do not fully make up for the shortfall.

09/04/2018

08/30/2018

By failing to give voice to young people’s experiences, we fail to create solutions that address the unique problems they face.

08/29/2018

48 percent of 7th-12th graders have experienced gender-based harassment during the school year, yet few solutions coming out of include youth. To be effective, the movement must be more inclusive.

By failing to give voice to young people’s experiences, we fail to create solutions that address the unique problems they face.