This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Ongoing dialogue among groups dedicated to youth empowerment was the goal when the Temple Youth VOICES Project of the University Community Collaborative of Philadelphia hosted a networking dinner at Temple University, November 6. Fifteen local organizations working with youth participated, and the group made plans to meet again in January.
During the dinner, representatives from each of the different organizations shared their missions and long-term goals, as well as information about their current work. The participating groups described many overlapping interests and projects, involving both service learning and grassroots activism. The gathering also offered time and space for informal conversation among the youth and adults attending.
Leaders of VOICES say their longer-term objective is a citywide coalition among community projects and organizations committed to youth-driven social change and community uplift.
“There’s power in numbers,” event organizer and VOICES Leaders’ Corps member Genisha Wallace emphasized during her opening presentation.
Fellow organizer Alison Huxta added, “Too often, trust and relationship building are overlooked in the political process.”
“VOICES sees the beauty in solidarity,” Huxta said. “We are well aware that we can’t be in the struggle for youth empowerment alone.”
The dinner was planned and facilitated by the Leaders’ Corps of Temple Youth VOICES as well as youth leaders from a number of Philadelphia communities. The Leaders’ Corps is a group comprised of Temple University and Community College of Philadelphia students and is responsible for the growth and development of the VOICES project.
For more information, or to attend January’s followup meeting, contact Catie Cavanaugh of VOICES at catiec@temple.edu or 215-204-2007.