Youth Summit 2010

For the first time, eleven youth organizations from greater Seattle will come together to build a network of teen activists. Building on the 2009 Youth Philanthropy Summit, this year's event will include 120 teens involved in community service, civic and political engagement, public policy, leadership development and grantmaking.

The Summit aims to connect teen activists who can work together to address the issues facing the Puget Sound region. 

Keynote Speaker: Norm Rice, President/CEO of The Seattle Foundation: 1:30 PM-2:00

Expected Attendance: 100-120 teen change-makers

The Summit will be broken into workshops, youth presentations, and a keynote address. The workshops will focus on leadership, public speaking, and a social capital mapping exercise called ‘Circles of Influence’. New this year, ‘Circles of Influence’ is an interactive exercise that uses scenarios where the participants will identify, engage, and activate their ‘Circles of Influence’ as a catalyst for change. This activity will empower the youth to develop strategies for change in their own communities. The scenarios deal with seven issues: education, environment, youth violence, homelessness, drugs and alcohol, suicide and sexism.

Members of Puget SoundOff, a Seattle-based online forum for teen self-expression, will document the Summit with videos and photos and post them on: www.pugetsoundoff.org .

For many of the youth involved this will be the first time they have met with other teen groups. “It was refreshing and encouraging to know that other people my age have the same passion to help others and to change not only our direct community, but our country and the world,” said one participant after the Summit last year.

“I think this year’s Summit will be even better,” says Ellie, Summit Advisory Group (AG) and Social Venture Kids (SVK) member.  “The Youth Advisory Group is helping develop it, so the Summit will be more teen focused. Shaping the Summit with youth perspectives is very important.  It shows teens that they are capable of making change.” The AG members are from SVK, the Seattle Foundation’s Youth Grantmaking Alumnae Board (YGAB), Youth Venture, and Youth Ambassadors.

In addition to the AG members, this year’s Summit will include participants come from Penny Harvest, Make the Dash Count, Bellevue Youth Link, the Seattle Youth Commission, Puget SoundOff, the Washington Bus, and the Youth Advisory Group for Alliance for Education.

Seattle is full of passionate youth who are already working to make the world a better place. This Summit will help them build relationships and increase communication between youth groups in addition to developing the skills necessary to create real change.

Questions? Contact Kyla Lackie, SOAR Youth Program Manager 206.336.6937 or kyla@childrenandyouth.org.

The Summit is sponsored by the generous support of the Starbucks Coffee Company, Garlic Jim's Famous Gourmet Pizza, the Seattle Foundation, and Social Venture Partners.