Youth Voice Spring Summit on April 10th, 2025
Thank you to the Oregon State Capitol Foundation for their support of this years Youth Voice Summit to help build civic engagement across the state. We are excited to be combining our Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year participants with partner organizations to elevate youth voices and engagement in their community.
Thank you to the Secretary of State Tobias Read for joining our event to speak with youth. He shared some of his own experience finding his way into public service and what his current role does for Oregonians.
Youth, civic organization representatives, and partners from around Oregon will come together on April 10th to build knowledge, skills, and motivation to engage in civic activities, fostering a sense of community responsibility and active participation in local governance. The event will include:
- Facilitated discussion time for issues of importance to teens, supporting connection with peers and professionals
- Building an understanding of Civic Engagement, including tour of the Capitol to see legislative process in action
- Brainstorming and discussing strategies and opportunities for making their voice heard
This summit is designed to help youth build their own skills for success while amplifying youth voices to Oregon leaders. We will provide time and space for civic minded youth to discuss issues of importance while connecting with peers and professionals. For those youth who are interested, they will have an opportunity to share their stories and requests for action with legislators directly.
Prior to Event:
Youth registered ahead of time and joined a webinar the first week of April to review event expectations and introduction of civic engagement. Share this flyer to invite youth.
During the Event: April 10th, 2025
Youth gathered in Salem at the YMCA and walking over to the Oregon State Capitol building. They toured chamber floor during a 5 hour long floor session and heard about the legislative process. Youth had an opportunity to hear from former Senator Roblan and current Capitol Foundation board member about his time working at the Capitol. Several youth visited the offices of their own elected officials to share more about why they chose to visit the Capitol. In the afternoon, several peers shared with youth about issues they care strongly about. Youth began discussing how issues impact their lives and what role legislative action might play in helping develop the solutions they want to see.
10am Welcome & Comfort Zones Activity
Presentation & Discussion
Capitol Tour & Lunch
Youth Sharing: Super Sigma Robotics, Oregon Association of Student Councils, Oregon Youth Advisory Council, YMCA Youth & Government
Secretary of State Tobias Read
Oregon Teen Leadership Summit 2024
The Oregon Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs represents 47 Club Sites, serving over 40,100 youth annually through programs and community outreach. We work collectively and collaboratively toward a better Oregon, committed to coming together to host a statewide Teen Leadership Summit with a focus on building community through engaging and relevant topics most important to teens.
The first annual Summit is an opportunity to bring together young people and staff who work with them for an inspiring day of connection teens are looking for. Teens will be challenged to Think Big as they explore their personal power and are guided through several topics of interest identified by teens, such as: Mental Health & Self Care, Substance Use, Financial Literacy, Career Readiness, and Leadership development.
We are excited to bring keynote speaker, Tyler Monk from Underdog Mentality to share his inspirational story to life as he encourages youth to action during our opening session facilitated by our Emcee, Betzy Gascar, Oregon’s 2024 Youth of the Year.
During youth workshops, teen staff from around the state engaged with leaders from Boys & Girls Club of America in facilitated workshops focused on strategies for engagement, recruitment and retention.
Thanks to the Ford Family Foundation for their generous support of our inaugural Teen Leadership Summit in Oregon. We look forward to growing this event as we build teen engagement in Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the state, helping equip, engage and inspire our next generation toward their Great Futures!
Creating Memories & Wearable Art
