National Youth Justice Summit

We are also offering opportunities to be an adult staff person for the Youth Justice Summit. Interested? Find out how to get involved!

Team up with other high-school students to change the world

This summer, a select group of 15–20 high-school youth will come together to make a commitment to social justice — and we're looking for young people ready for the challenge! Join us in Boston, Mass., July 7–14 for a week of learning, skill building, and focused hands-on service.

Given the recent spark of the Occupy movement, we will be examining social justice through the lens of economic justice. In an experience grounded in Unitarian Universalist theology and practices, participants will learn the basics of privilege, identity, and economic justice, plus develop the skills to work for social change in joyful, meaningful, and sustainable ways. Through interactive workshops and role-playing, service learning in the community, and time for deep reflection, the conference will be an opportunity for participants to gain a better understanding of themselves and the part they can play in creating change.  

Rev. Nate Walker, the distinguished minister at First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia, will serve as chaplain for the week. Local partners include Haley House, a Dorothy Day-inspired organization, and the UU Urban Ministry's Roxbury Youth Program, part of a historic UU organization working toward social justice for over 150 years.

Youth will leave the summit with new or renewed commitment to social justice and a supportive community to walk with them while doing this work.

Pre-summit preparation by participants:

• Complete an "Introduction to Spiritual Practices" exercise.
• Identify a mentor in your congregation.
• Read preparation packet, which includes articles about Unitarian Universalism, class, and economic justice.

Workshops (subject to change):

• Anti-racism and anti-oppression training
• Wealth and class in UU history and theology
• Case Studies: How UUSC's partners advance economic justice
• Sources of power in capitalism and alternative economic systems
• Storytelling and social change
• Vocation — What are we called to do?
• How do you decide what to work on?
• How to find partnerships and be a good ally

Potential post-summit opportunities for participants:

• Youth can choose to engage in existing social-justice work in their communities during the following school year (September–June; one project each semester or same project throughout the year).
• With guidelines and suggestions from UUSC, participants can meet with a mentor once a month to discuss learning, set goals, and find support in applying the skills, knowledge, and momentum from the summit.
• Youth might partner with an adult mentor to lead a workshop for a congregation or district meeting.
• Youth can join a conference call once a month with other UUSC National Youth Justice Summit participants to report back on learning and growth, to seek support, and to ask each other questions.
• Participants can become part of the Youth Leadership Team and take part in an additional monthly call to shape next year's summit.