White Papers - Mikva Challenge

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White Papers

Theory & Research in Social Education: Cultivating empathic listening in democratic education
2020 State of Chicago Youth: Citywide Youth Councils Recommendations
Speaking with confidence and listening with empathy: The impact of Project Soapbox on high school students
Fostering Democratic and Social-Emotional Learning in Action Civics Programming: Factors That Shape Students’ Learning From Project Soapbox

Thank you, Okikioluwa, for your inspiring words to young people about speaking up about issues that are important to them. Youth voice matters, and we are listening!

Last week, the Neighborhood Leadership Initiative kicked off Spring council sessions for the North Lawndale, New City/Back of the Yards, and Gage Park Councils and gathered to close out on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Council members discussed leadership, youth voice, challenges they face as youth leaders, and forming a consensus on a what a supportive youth-led space can look like.

The North Lawndale Council had a rich conversation around confidence and the importance of self-love when it comes to future planning. New City/BOTY Council members discussed with each other the challenges they are facing with in-person learning and the importance of speaking up, even when you don't feel listened to. Lastly, the Gage Park Council shared with each other the importance of building community and "feeling like a family" while also sharing their expertise in navigating school systems in an ongoing pandemic.

Remaking Middle School is an organization that re-envisions the middle school years as positive and transformative educational experiences for all young adults. Mikva students in our Neighborhood Leadership Initiative program had an opportunity to speak on the podcast* about the importance of youth voice as it relates to their lived experience in their communities.

*Sound on to hear clips.