Reflection on the YOU Summit, by James R., Client & YAC Member

James is a member of Maslow’s Youth Advisory Council, where youth voices help shape our work.

In November, a few members of our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) attended the You Summit, a statewide gathering focused on youth leadership and advocacy. For James, the day sparked growth and a new excitement for advocacy. In his own words, below, he shares his experience.

James (center) bringing energy to the YOU Summit

Capybaras. Cute, cuddly, fuzzy, all words you could use to describe the creature. When I received the phone call that I was to attend this ‘YOU seminar’ I was skeptical. What could capybaras possibly have to do with youth advocacy? It turns out the charming allure of a fuzzy creature turned out to be well worth my time.

Before this seminar, I feared I was in over my head. I’d never worked with youth before, let alone advocated for them on such a large scale.

How and what could I learn from something like this?

As I scanned over the worksheets we were given, I realized that I didn’t know what I was doing, and I worried that maybe it would be difficult for me to succeed in this adventure.

But my fretting was useless. As the session began (fashionably late), the speaker Jo was very clear about what we’d be doing and explained how we’d be doing it. I discovered that this ‘seminar’ was less of a seminar and more of a workshop. I thought we’d be sitting and listening to someone talk for hours, but I was surely mistaken.

Our activities were focused around problems our youth may be facing in the community, and how we could solve them. Building teamwork amongst our circle as we brainstormed how to tackle these problems.

Once the day was over, I found that I had much to learn. But it fascinated me, and inspired me to attempt to join my local youth advocacy council. I learned what these councils do, and how they provide for their peers. I also learned how to BE the one to provide to my peers. Speaking up for others and being a leader was a large focus of this workshop. Skills I realized I needed to work on.

I also learned how to BE the one to provide to my peers.

As my group gathered their things to leave, I realized… wait, where was the capybara?! I’d been tricked! Bamboozled! There was no capybara! But as I thought a little harder, I realized that maybe the real meaning of the capybara was the skills we learned along the way.