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Recently, the BBAY team gathered to reflect on all we have accomplished together with our partners over this past year. 2024 has brought a lot of really amazing work and we want to share back this with the community. Here are some highlights from the past year!
The Reimagine Black Youth Mental Health Initiative began their demonstration project focused on safety on social media this year at three sites (BCMS, BCHS, and Park Center HS). Youth participating in the workshops are learning about how their use of social media can impact mental health.
As part of the demonstration project, students are creating media (videos, posters, animations, etc.) which highlight their takeaways from the workshops. Students wrapped up their projects before winter break. Big things are coming for RBYMH in 2025!
Stay connected to Reimagine by subscribing to their newsletter here.
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BBAY has welcomed on more staff to support the work of Elevate Youth:
- Haley Vien, CRT Coordinator
- Mitch Vosejpka, Youth OnBoard Coordinator
- Akin Tunmbi, MSW intern (Augsburg)
Programming such as Culturally Responsive Tutoring, Youth OnBoard, and Affinity Spaces have been supported by the Elevate Youth! Team at four different sites in the fall: Cooper HS, Brooklyn Center HS, Park Center HS and Champlin Park High School. This programming will continue to be delivered in spring, summer, and fall of 2025.
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Over the summer, the Youth Data Squad surveyed their peers in the Brooklyns to better understand youth perception on wellbeing and safety. The Youth-to-Youth survey follows a Youth-led Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach that realizes the potential of youth and equips them to collect and evaluate data as they engage their community. We are looking forward to continue to share this back with the community and our partners in 2025.
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Outreach for the Free College Campaign has been busy this past year! We were out in community spreading the good news about tuition-free college for eligible MN residents.
More recently, the campaign released North Star Promise videos in English, Spanish and Hmong! Videos are available for download on BBAY's website and on our social media platforms. BBAY will continue to respond to the needs of youth regarding career & college pathways.
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As we close out this year, we want to give thanks to all of the youth who joined BBAY to work towards systems change based on youth needs. Our work is nothing without the young people in the Brooklyns using their power and voices to lead the way. THANK YOU! To our partners who have joined us to be responsive to the needs of young people and have taken steps to shift the culture. THANK YOU! Heading into 2025, BBAY's commitment and energy to the work will not waiver. Our drive to build a system of high-quality, accessible, and fully resourced opportunities for youth remains. We look forward to continuing the good work into the new year!
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