Amplifying Youth Voice: For Youth Development, Community & Democracy | John Weiss | TEDxYDL

John Weiss has made supporting youth leadership his life’s work. He believes that youth deserve a voice -- in our homes, in our schools, and in our community. Adults who truly take the time to engage with teens in meaningful ways are often amazed at all they can do, and what they can contribute.

I have been working with youth and youth serving settings my entire professional life, for over 25 years. I have worked in a variety of nationally and locally renowned settings including: the San Francisco Conservation Corps, the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation and the Neutral Zone. I have also served as a teacher in the Willow Run and Ypsilanti Schools districts. Throughout my service there has been a heavy emphasis on youth voice and decision making, youth empowerment, and youth-adult partnerships. I’ve learned and seen how these concepts work (and fail to work) in schools, after-school programs, municipal settings, arts organizations, libraries, health centers and human service organizations.