Youths and young adults from New Rochelle and across Westchester County will channel their experiences and ideas into recommendations for real-world change when the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle hosts its inaugural Youth Leadership & Policy Forum on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club’s Remington Clubhouse, 1 Remington Place in New Rochelle, youths will identify issues affecting their lives and communities, collaborate on solutions and develop actionable policy recommendations to present to elected officials and community leaders. Youths and young adults from ages 14 to 24 are invited to be heard at the forum and can register at this link: https://bit.ly/4dIbHXH
“Young people have cogent, strategic ideas about the opportunities and challenges facing their schools, neighborhoods, communities and future, and those ideas deserve to be heard,” said Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. “This forum gives them more than a seat at the table; it gives them an opportunity to shape the conversation. We want youths to know that their voices matter, that their ideas can inspire change and that they have the power to frame the future they want to see.” The forum’s theme is “Your Voice. Your Policy. Our Future.” Policy discussions will focus on issues including civic engagement and youth voice; artificial intelligence, social media and digital citizenship; mental health and student wellness; education and college readiness; workforce development and career pathways; community safety and belonging; environmental sustainability; and financial literacy and economic opportunity.
The forum advances the Boys & Girls Club’s broader commitment to helping young people develop the confidence, skills and opportunities to become leaders in their communities.