Meet CYPB Youth Coalition member and @growdatyouthfarm alumnus, Sia Moon (she/they). Sia is joined by fellow Grow Dat alumnus Ava Kreutziger (she/her), who is an advocate and former employee. Check out their heartfelt story about their personal connection to Grow Dat, the land it stands on, and the community they've built there.

Grow Dat has been advocating to stay on their current site in City Park over the past 6 months due to potential relocation from the park's master planning process. Grow Dat's huge community of supporters, both near and far, helped elevate the importance of their work and its impact on young folks in New Orleans, including Sia and Ava, both former Grow Dat employees. In recent months, Grow Dat has had a series of productive meetings with the CPC team and both parties have shared that the park is committed to ensuring Grow Dat has a home there.

Nonetheless, these conversations are a work in progress and nothing is finalized yet; Grow Dat still needs your support! Folks can go to Grow Dat's website to learn more!

Youth Connections is in alignment with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. The New Orleans Youth Master Plan is about expanding our shared knowledge, working with what currently exists, investing in what we are getting right, updating and creating based on unmet needs, and innovating toward the Youth Vision for success.

Take action and stay connected:
New Orleans Youth Master Plan: https://nolayouthmasterplan.org/
New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board: @nolacypb | nolacypb.org
Grow Dat Youth Farm: @growdatyouthfarm | growdatyouthfarm.org

We have an exciting episode of Youth Connections for you today, where we're handing the reins over to two remarkable young people from the New Orleans Children & Youth Planning Board. Cameron Nutzell, an outspoken and dedicated member, will be sharing her insights on mental health, joined later by Ryan Foreman, another ambitious Youth Advisory Board member. You won't want to miss this unique youth perspective on such an important and often misunderstood topic. Tune in now!

Youth Connections is in alignment with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. The New Orleans Youth Master Plan is about expanding our shared knowledge, working with what currently exists, investing in what we are getting right, updating and creating based on unmet needs, and innovating toward the Youth Vision for success.

Take action and stay connected:
New Orleans Youth Master Plan: https://nolayouthmasterplan.org/
New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board: @nolacypb | nolacypb.org

Meet Kasha Fenceroy, an incredible organizer and advocate for young people in New Orleans who will be sharing her inspiring story with us today. When Kasha arrived in New Orleans, they struggled to find a sense of belonging. But, they soon found a group of kids in their neighborhood who also felt the same way. This is where Kasha's incredible journey begins.

Later, we'll be joined by Jamila Dunham, a bass player in the bands Waterseed and Betty Who, and the Collective for Healthy Communities Program Associate with the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies. She'll be discussing why building connections and community is so important for our city's young people. When we foster a sense of safety and belonging among our youth, we create a better future for all of us.

Youth Connections is in alignment with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. The New Orleans Youth Master Plan is about expanding our shared knowledge, working with what currently exists, investing in what we are getting right, updating and creating based on unmet needs, and innovating toward the Youth Vision for success. As we uplift what progress looks like, we want to acknowledge, credit, and shout out those who are contributing to that progress- like the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies!

Take action and stay connected:
New Orleans Youth Master Plan: https://nolayouthmasterplan.org/
New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board: @nolacypb | nolacypb.org
Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies: @iwes_nola | iwesnola.org

Welcome back to our program. Today, we have the pleasure of talking with Hope Dreux, a young artist, dancer, and organizer from New Orleans. Our conversation will revolve around adultism, its impact on young people, and how we can tackle this issue. It is an important topic that affects us all, and we are excited to delve deeper into it. So tune in and join the movement.

Youth Connections is in alignment with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. The New Orleans Youth Master Plan is about expanding our shared knowledge, working with what currently exists, investing in what we are getting right, updating and creating based on unmet needs, and innovating toward the Youth Vision for success.

Take action and stay connected:
New Orleans Youth Master Plan: https://nolayouthmasterplan.org/
New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board: @nolacypb | nolacypb.org

The Youth Connections podcast is finally here, and we're thrilled to celebrate its first episode with everyone! This space is dedicated to young people in New Orleans, giving them a platform to share their stories and experiences with us. It's time to put an end to the stereotypes and stigmas that adults often associate with young people, and instead, embrace their truth. In today's episode, we are honored to have Sierra Gaines, a New Orleans native, upcoming Dillard University graduate, and a powerful force in her community. She will be joined by Michele Seymour, from the New Orleans Reengagement Center, where they will discuss their work and how they support positive youth development in our community.

Youth Connections is in alignment with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. The New Orleans Youth Master Plan is about expanding our shared knowledge, working with what currently exists, investing in what we are getting right, updating and creating based on unmet needs, and innovating toward the Youth Vision for success. As we uplift what progress looks like, we want to acknowledge, credit, and shout out those who are contributing to that progress- like the New Orleans Reengagement Center!

Take action and stay connected:
New Orleans Youth Master Plan: https://nolayouthmasterplan.org/
New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board: @nolacypb | nolacypb.org
The Reengagement Center: @reengagementcenternola | reengagementcenternola.org
New Orleans Youth Alliance: @neworleansyouthalliance | noya.org

Welcome to the Youth Connections Podcast!

Youth Connections is a podcast that aims to provide young people with the civics education and support necessary to successfully engage in decision-making and advocacy spaces and places.

We are community builders. Regardless of the communities we come from, our backgrounds, or the schools we attend, we are part of the solution, not the problem.

We have experiences, we face problems, and we come up with creative solutions. These are all valid. We are worthy of being heard and included.

There is no future for New Orleans without us.