Voices of Youth

Voices of Youth, Voices of Community

A resounding success!

On Thursday, July 27^th, 2006 at the Richard Hugo House the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation presented Voices of Youth, Voices of Community, a special evening in which “at-risk” and “homeless” youth expressed their experience of living in these troubled times.

This event was sponsored by the Northwest Network for Youth, the Richard Hugo House, the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation and YouthCare.

Voices of Youth is an ongoing series that the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation puts on in various locations around the country working with youth from inner cities, gangs, to those who are incarcerated.

In Voices of Youth young people work together for a week to craft an artful expression of their inner dreams and outer concerns. On Thursday, July 27^th the local community was invited to witness, to discuss, and bless the aspirations and efforts of its disadvantaged young people. At our event in Seattle over 200 community members filled the theater space at the Hugo House to Standing Room Only to witness the Voices and profound Poetry of these young people who have seen and lived through so much already.

In this approach, youth are not simply ‘the problem,’ rather, their lives are a reflection of serious issues troubling the culture at large. When viewed this way, youth can be seen as valuable agents of change who play a necessary part in cultural education, healing, and transformation.

Voices of Youth inspires and empowers local youth, fosters ongoing cross-generational dialogues and leads to the development of unique local forms of mentoring. Amidst changing times and all too-common violence, all are invited to witness the expression of youth and hear the voice of the soul seeking to make community again.

Our event in Seattle was challenging, rewarding, and inspiring. Michael Meade facilitated the week long workshop and evening presentation along with Jacob (Mosaic), Jeremy (NWNY), Michelle Keating (YouthCare and NWNY Board) and other volunteer mentors and YouthCare staff members.