Let Youth Lead – Bridge to Success

Founded in 2019, Let Youth Lead (LYL) is an opportunity for Waterbury Public School students (ages 12 – 19) to work with Bridge to Success and its partners on improving outcomes for youth in Waterbury. Guided by an ambitious action plan, LYL develops young people’s leadership skills and provides the access and support we need to advocate for the change we want to see in our schools and city!

AT LYL, OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE: BUILD YOUTH POWER IN WATERBURY!

Increasing awareness and access to Waterbury Board of Education Meetings

Youth advocacy and leadership development

Building a youth network of joy

Meet Let Youth Lead!

Our talented team of dedicated youth come from diverse backgrounds, skill sets and strengths. Together, they are dedicated to generating new ideas to build youth power in Waterbury.

Become A Let Youth Lead Member

Join our #YOUTHPOWER Membership Meetings every 1st Friday of the month between 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM at the North End Recreation Center (268 N. Main St., Waterbury, CT 06702)

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There are no upcoming events at this time.

LYL’s Past Work & Community Contributions

As committed youth leaders in Waterbury, LYL creates, co-facilitates, and attends a variety events and training to engage, inform, and empower Waterbury’s youth.

Initiatives & Contributions

What’s The Deal: Introduction to the Waterbury Board of Education | March 2022

First in the What’s the Deal series, LYL curated and co-facilitated a panel discussion introducing Waterbury’s youth and families to the function and impact of the Waterbury Board of Education and how they can get involved to create change in their schools.

Young, Bold & Powerful Youth Summit | June 2021

LYL collaborated with the Youth Empowerment Team to co-create and facilitate a workshop, Race, Racism & Activism, that engaged Waterbury youth in a meaningful discussion about race, racism, and what young people have and can continue to do to combat racism in their communities.

Our Voice: A Panel Discussion with CT Youth Leaders | June 2021

Supporting the launch of BTS’s first youth summit, LYL member Melanie Adames co-designed and served as a panelist.

Meet the Crew | June 2021

LYL members hosted a virtual debut, introducing themselves and their work to youth, parents, and providers via Facebook Live.

Collective Impact Forum | April 2021

For a collaborative presentation to the Strive Network, Disrupting Traditional Power Structures for Community Co-Design & Intergenerational Leadership, LYL member, Shinaayo Olabisi, served as a youth panelist to share his experience working with BTS as an emerging Youth Leader.

Save Girls on FYER | Let Black Girls Live | December 2020

Live on all social media platforms, LYL member Melanie Adames supported BTS partner SGOF by interviewing the 2020 graduates of Liberation on FYER. The interview highlighted their recent project, Let Black Girls Live, a documentary sharing the experiences of black girls regarding racial violence and a call to action to advance equity and justice.

Spanish LTAR Launch | December 2020

In support of the launch of BTS and My Reflection Matter’s 2nd edition of Let’s Talk About Race, LYL member Melanie Adames served as a panelist to share their experience with race and racism in Latino communities.

Professional Development & Expanded Learning Opportunities

Results Based Facilitation (RBF) | May 2021 – June 2021

LYL received introductory training to the RBF method as a competency-based approach to participating in and facilitating meetings that generate actionable results.

Youth Talk Back | November 2020 – March 2021

In partnership with Waterbury Youth Services, LYL engaged in critical learning about race, racism, and equity related to their roles and responsibilities as Youth Leaders in Waterbury.

Branding & Marketing 101 | December 2020 – January 2021

LYL received introductory training from the former Director of Community Impact & Marketing, Akia S. Callum on the basic components of effective social media marketing and brand development.

Let’s Talk About It!

Talk About It is a Let Youth Lead original newsletter for youth, by youth! Our goal is to inform Waterbury Public School students about the decisions made at the Waterbury Board of Education and explore educational and school experiences from the perspective of our current and future leaders, Waterbury Youth.