How do we support youth in our community? In March, the Community Powered Project Coordinators hosted programs designed intentionally for youth, to provide opportunities for them to learn new skills, build friendships, and connect with adults who want to support their ideas for how they can help make their community a better place to live.

Sapatis, the CPPC in the Forest County Potawatomi Community, held a Lacrosse Workshop and Demonstration at the 4th Annual Forest County Potawatomi Community Youth Gathering. The workshop focused on teaching youth about the game and the sticks. Sapatis and Jacob Struble made 25 sticks for the workshop, 15 of which were handed out to youth during the Gathering. Sapatis shared what he had learned about the stick-making process and the game of la crosse with the youth. After completing their sticks, the kids played an impromptu game of lacrosse in the parking lot of the venue.

Emily, the CPPC in Spooner, hosted a Teen Powered Lock-In event in partnership with the Spooner Memorial Library. They chose to focus on teens specifically because of the demonstrated need for teen events in our community, that they were aware of through personal experience, conversations, and observation. they also had a mutual interest in figuring out how to create impactful library programs that engaged teens in our community. The event had three goals, which shaped the program design and outcomes.

• Provide a safe environment for teens to have fun and build friendships
• Build connections with local community leaders
• Plan their own youth service project that would be supported by Community Powered

In total, 29 teens from four different area schools attended the overnight event. It was incredibly moving for Emily and Angie to witness the teens sharing their thoughts about community needs and resources. Two of the groups were so motivated to make their projects a reality that they began meeting weekly at the library and carrying out their project ideas in the Spring and Summer of 2023.

Understanding youth perspectives on community strengths, needs, and resources is vital to creating welcoming communities for the next generation. It is important to craft engaging programs that create space for youth to be themselves and to share their true thoughts. When these spaces are intergenerational, adults have the opportunity to be inspired by youth and to commit to supporting youth as they take the lead, to make positive changes in the community.