Trust Youth
October 2019
In their passion and conviction – pitching proposals to shape our region’s energy and environmental policy – they reminded me of 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thundberg. Days after Greta took the stage at the United Nations, our newest cohort of LearnServe Fellows had retreated to the woods near Poolesville, MD for a weekend of team-building, personal introspection, and a crash course in social entrepreneurship. This marked the start of their year-long growth as civic leaders and social entrepreneurs.
The weekend began with a mock town hall. Representing diverse stakeholder groups, ourstudents’ testimonies before the “Mayor” and “City Council” touched on climatechange, asthma, energy prices, and economic growth. Together, they imagined the city and worldthey hope to live in.
While this introductory activity was hypothetical, thesocial ventures our LearnServe Fellows create are not. Three years ago, Russell Corbin was sittingin similar seats as he began his tenure as a LearnServe Fellow. Then a sophomore at Richard Montgomery HighSchool in Montgomery County, Maryland, Russell launched “Green Yellow Bussesfor MCPS” a campaign to promote “alternate fuel transport in the system thatmost affects our next generations: schools.” He went on to serve as the environmental affairs coordinator for theMontgomery County Regional Student Government Association, where he advocatedfor electric school buses at the local and state level.
Last month, Russell – now in his first year at PomonaCollege – reached out with two exciting updates. Plug In America recognized him with their2019 Student Award, national recognition for his electric vehicleadvocacy. More importantly, he shared,the Maryland state government approved funding for MCPS to purchase its firstelectric school bus.
As Greta Thundberg issued her pointed call for climateaction, many of the adults in the room – and listening in from across the globe– seemed to wake up to the power of young people to create change. I, too, am in awe of the movement she hassparked. But I am not surprised. Her urgency, focus, and conviction remind meof Russell and of each of the hundreds of LearnServe students I have had theprivilege of working with over the past 12 years.
Greta’s remarks and the wide-ranging response she received –from the enthusiastic applause to the “haters” critiquing her on social andmainstream media – also reminded me that such vocal youth leadership does nothappen accidentally.
In one breath, our LearnServe students gathered for theirkickoff retreat channeled the vision and voice of Greta. They offered compelling clean energy policyproposals; drew on personal experience with discrimination to imagine a worldin which systemic racism no longer exists; and spoke out against the gunviolence which has instilled fear in them and their communities. They know the change that needs to happen –and have begun to see themselves as the changemakers that will shape theirvision into reality.
In a second, more vulnerable breath, however, theconversation is different. One studentquestioned her own self-confidence, her fears that everyone around her was moreprepared, more polished, more effective. A second questioned her own ability to speak out, worrying how other,louder voices might shut her out. Theyknow that change needs to happen – but wonder if they will be good enough atmaking it happen.
The power of young people to create change is real. But it is also precarious. There is a very fine line between “youthtaking action” and “youth inaction.” While the students themselves are in the driver’s seat, we as adultsplay an important role. It is thatimportant role that my colleagues and I keep front of mind as we begin our workwith this new cohort of LearnServe Fellows.
Here are some of the observations I have gleaned from morethan a decade of inspiring, challenging, and coaching young changemakers:
TrustYouth. We have the opportunity to beour students’ greatest cheerleaders, sounding boards, and shoulders to cryon. We undermine our power as effective adultallies the moment we start to take over their ideas or allow our own doubts tofuel their own insecurities.
EmbraceVulnerability. Young socialentrepreneurs are taking a risk. Theyare stepping outside their comfort zone to share and act on something ofpersonal importance. We should be honestwith our feedback – that is an important part of taking them and their ideasseriously – while at the same time reinforcing a tone that is respectful,constructive, and professional.
CelebrateChangemaking. As we celebrate thework of famous youth activists, we collectively recognize what is possible whenwe trust youth. At the same time, werisk placing select individuals on an unattainable pedestal. In celebrating the successes, and failures,of less famous student social entrepreneurs, we reinforce the spirit of “I cando this, too.”
In this new school year, may we be inspired and challenged by the emerging leaders and activists in our own lives – and may we continue to trust youth, embrace vulnerability, and celebrate changemaking.
Scott Rechler
Co-Director & CEO
LearnServe International