Youth Workers and School Staff

Picture this: A group of 15 youth are seated in an open-classroom setting, cell phones are nowhere to be seen, and all the students are fully engaged in the topic being presented by the woman at the front of the room. This is what you'll find each Friday afternoon between 11:30 - 12:30 when Melita Carter, Youth Development Facilitator, visits Simon Youth Academy. Her lesson always begins with a quick review of what was talked about the last lesson, with students leading the charge. This particular morning they're reviewing self-esteem and the meaning behind affirmations for yourself and others. Each student takes a moment to say one positive thing about themselves. "I'm nice." "I have good hair." "I am confident." Unprompted, they ask to be able to do the same for their classmates. "This right here is my best friend and when I'm feeling down she always brings me up." "I really like your glasses." "You always make people laugh." Melita is piloting a new program centered around Economic Justice at Simon Youth Academy and the students are fully committed to learning what she has to say. She asks them to demonstrate that they remember the concepts they've discussed recently and one girl tentatively explains institutional oppression as she remembers it, apologizing as she finishes up her statement. Melita is quick to say "Don't ever apologize for speaking up." And then with no preamble, no introduction, Melita launches into a