We have started off the program year with a bang! Beginning with our orientation retreat in August, we welcomed new eleventh grade Fellows into the Fellowship and twelfth grade Bridgers into their second year. Fellows and Bridgers have been busy attending skill-building sessions, committee meetings, hearing from our alumni, and joining together for team building and bonding activities. Read more below and check out some highlights of the season!
THE START OF SOMETHING NEW
by Kristen Lau
I've spent my entire life in the same small community, and I've always wanted to get out of my “bubble.” When I first heard about YouthBridge, I was immediately drawn to the program because of the topics it explores such as diversity, inequality, and leadership, so of course I was thrilled when I received my acceptance email. Since then, I've gotten to know the other Fellows thanks to our meeting in Bryant Park, the Overnight Retreat at Stony Point Center, and our September and October Skillbuilding workshops and Social Action Committees. The Overnight Retreat was a fantastic experience because it brought a lot of the Fellows and Bridgers together for the first time. During the retreat, we completed a variety of icebreakers and activities, but we also began to delve into more complex topics such as racism, power, and privilege. My personal favorite activity at the retreat was Youthbridge Neighborhood. We were divided into four groups, and each group was given a certain amount of materials as well as money to purchase additional materials to build their own neighborhood. What we didn’t realize until later, though, was the true purpose of the game. Each group was given a different level of privilege; the more privileged groups had more space for their neighborhood, more money, more materials, and were not as heavily policed as the less privileged groups. Even though my group felt discriminated against because we were closely watched by the police and had significantly less money than some of the other groups, we thought it was normal because we didn't notice the other groups’ privilege until the activity was over. It was certainly eye-opening, as it helped me better understand the power that people with privilege frequently do not use due to ignorance or simply a refusal to help.
Overall, my YouthBridge experience has been great as a member of the Food Justice Committee. I look forward to each meeting because I always leave with more knowledge or a new perspective on an idea that I already had. The community that has been created is incredible, and I have already learned a lot from my mentors. I hope to keep pushing myself to grow and learn in order to become the best version of myself, something which YouthBridge has helped with over the past few months. I can’t wait to see how much I learn over the next two years!
AN EPIPHANY
by Daiana Azimova
I first learned about YouthBridge through an internship coordinator at my school. After learning about it, I decided to do some digging and learn more about the program through surfing the website. As I read the testaments and saw the faces of alumni, I realized that this program is absolutely perfect for me. Seeing the genuine diversity and commitment to inclusivity, I was more eager to apply. Ever since I have learned about advocacy, I have always tried my best to stand up for my beliefs and principles. At YouthBridge, I am able to not only improve my advocacy skills but also acquaint myself with new knowledge.
The moment I began my interview with Tiffany and Karen, I could feel the welcome and acceptance, even through a Zoom screen. After that, it only got better. I had little to no expectations for the first workshop, I thought it would be cliché like interviewing or resume writing. But, when I first stepped foot into the room, I knew it was going to be way more than the basic professionalism skills. Tiffany and Sharon led the "Understanding Ourselves and Others," which I was enticed by. I was in a room with individuals from across the city and a neighboring state—who each come from different backgrounds—learning and actively participating.
Despite me already having done some of the activities planned, this time around I saw them in a different perspective. I absolutely loved playing the invitation and greeting game with the different colored cards and groups. It not only gave me a chance to get to know the people I’ll be seeing for the next 8 months but to also see interactions of people with different customs. It immensely helped me understand that people grow up different and are taught different things. This makes communication an important factor in understanding that some people do things differently.
During this workshop session, it felt as though it was necessary to be different and not in a bad way. It showed that when different people come together, they can create something beautiful. There I was, laughing with people I have never met and bonding over our differences that makes each one of us unique. This workshop was an epiphany, which I will remember for the rest of my life.
I am excited to be a part of such a diverse family as a participant and in the future as an alumni. Also, I am very eager to see what YouthBridge has in store for us. Lastly, I look forward to all of the meaningful and deep conversations, laughs, and lessons we will share.
AN ENTIRELY NEW PICTURE
by Hallel Abrams Gerber
Wanting to expand my perspective, meet new people and gain leadership skills, I excitedly applied for the fellowship. Through the interview process, I developed a real sense of camaraderie with the interviewees. The thought-provoking interview questions challenged and encouraged us to think deeply and critically about our own environments. We discussed active change we sought to make in the world around us and found similarities across our various experiences, despite all coming from different boroughs, schools, and backgrounds. I really wanted to be part of this amazing and thoughtful group of people and was beyond thrilled to be accepted!
This led to the difficult choice of choosing a committee. I had done research into food deserts through school and was thus attracted to the ‘Food Justice’ committee. I come from a background of debate, so ‘Criminal Justice Reform’ also sparked interest. However, in the end, I chose ‘Healthcare Disparities.’ I am fascinated by the world of psychology and the ways in which the multifaceted nature of healthcare includes both the physical and mental aspects of a person. I have seen the direct ways in which healthcare — or lack thereof — radically transforms the trajectory of someone’s life. I had the beginnings of an understanding of historical prejudices and the ways in which discrimination has affected the lived experience of healthcare in this country. I sought to develop my knowledge further and learn ways in which to make a sizable difference in this regard.
I had no idea the extent of these discrepancies, however, until I joined this committee. Through visual, auditory, and interactive information, I have gained an entirely new picture and even been motivated to continue research on my own time. I have learned from the array of people in this cohort, who bring their unique and diverse experiences and meaningful interpretations. From applying tools by the “Teaching Tolerance” Program in order to analyze our own schools and their opportunities for growth, to studying horrifying and disproportionate statistics on the treatment of underprivileged groups, to motivational and fervent speeches on fair treatment, I have been immersed in truly important discussions and lessons. I have definitely found myself examining my own communities with a more nuanced eye to identify the differences we studied and actively addressing my own biases.
I am so excited to see where this road will lead. If this much has happened in the two months of this program, I cannot wait to see what we will be able to do over these two years.
