Our Youth Advisory Boards (YABS) are uniting to raise awareness about the root causes of gun violence and identify needed solutions. Building on local YAB meetings and cross-city learning exchanges, our youth-led strategies are guided by local action plans and include the following activities:
Youth-Led Campaigns
Our YABS are planning a public health campaign, Our Stories, Our Strength, which centers around an Anonymous Story Box on social media. The campaign invites youth to share their stories and perspectives on gun violence based on their lived experiences. The campaign will also include a teaching video and youth-driven recommendations for community leaders.
Our Stories, Our Strength amplifies youth voices to achieve the following goals:
- Raise awareness about the root causes of gun violence
- Build empathy and solidarity for youth affected by gun violence
- Inform communities about what youth need to thrive
- Connect youth with resources to support youth thriving
Youth-Led Summits
Youth-led summits empower youth to spread prevention knowledge and skills in their communities. The summits include speaker panels, performances, resource tables, and interactive trainings like Mental Health First Aid and Peer Mediation. At the summits, youth encourage wider community engagement in their local action plans and public health campaigns. In the process, youth build their skills as agents of change.
Community Outreach & Events
Our YABs engage in community outreach to raise awareness about their work, partner with community agencies, and inform youth and adults about the root causes of violence. Outreach activities include promoting Our Stories, Our Strength, tabling at events, distributing promotional materials, speaking with community leaders and policymakers, and participating in community events to support local violence prevention efforts.
Community Advisory Circles
YABs invite community agencies to gather quarterly for Advisory Circle meetings to learn more about each other’s work and strengthen youth-adult partnerships. YAB members build connections, gather feedback on their action plans, and identify opportunities for collaboration and supporting long-term sustainability.