Youth Be Heard

Our focus is for youth to know they are valuable through being seen, heard, and known. Youth Be Heard (YBH) implements our vision through elevating youth voices and expression on youthbeheard.org and refining work to share on larger platforms. 

Adolescence is a tumultuous time where self-esteem rates drop while anxiety and depression rates increase. It is a pivotal time for mental health prevention. We aim to prevent the onset of mental illness by creating a safe space for expression and a source of helpful information on mental well-being, body image, relationships and more. 

We support our vision through providing a safe space for expression where youth can be heard and validated, where they are creators and influencers and contributors through sharing their thoughts, experiences, and creativity. We do this by taking youth voice and creativity seriously. Youth ages 13+ submit their thoughts, experiences, and creativity to youthbeheard.org. Youth receive coaching, mentoring, and editing support to help them tell their story and then it is published on youthbeheard.org. All content is monitored before publishing, yet youth have the final say in how their story is told. 

$20 provides Strengths-Based Writing Program support for one student

$30/month provides YBH programming for one student

$50/month provides web and online administrative support

$3,000 enables the Enhanced Strengths-Based Writing Program to be implemented in one school or after-school program. The SBWP includes an 8-session program to help increase self-worth among youth and help them believe in their potential to make a positive impact on others through writing.