MENTOR Greater Milwaukee & the Youth Voice Summit

Two young leaders joined the September 28 Coalition meeting to represent MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, which aims to expand mentoring relationships across the city. Over the summer, the two young men worked as Social Justice Ambassadors to build relationships and advocate for mentoring, in addition to planning and facilitating the inaugural Youth Voice Summit.

“We wanted to share the importance of youth voice and learn how to use our own voices,” said Ambassador Savion Jarvis.

Their packed summer schedules were filled with learning and professional development opportunities, conversations with local organizations, and hands-on mentoring with the Boys and Girls Club.

“One of our biggest events was the Youth Voice Summit,” said Carmelo Knight, another Social Justice Ambassador. “I think the purpose of the youth summit as a whole was really getting youth together to talk about things going on and to find better ways to advocate for themselves. … I think it really helped serve the purpose of getting youth to learn how to use their voices.”

The event – composed of 4 youth-led workshops, activities, relationship-building and giveaways – explored the power of mentorship, current issues like reckless driving and more, with an emphasis on the power of youth voice to create change.

“Us as youth ran it, too,” explained Savion. “We decided where we wanted to be. We decided what we wanted to talk about. So it was a major steeping stone for us to find our voice, as well.”

Couldn’t make the Coalition meeting? No worries! Catch up on the action here.