Three days...100 youth from all over the nation... acquiring advocacy skills...delivering social justice speeches...connecting with elected leaders...and so much more took place during Mikva Challenge's First National Youth Summit, held in Washington, DC. Mikva Challenge is a civic education organization that aims to develop empowered, informed, and active youth. This episode covers the youth summit and gives a glimpse into the Mikva organization. 

This episode contains sensitive material and may not be appropriate for all audiences. Listeners should know this episode includes sensitive topics, trigger warnings, and derogatory names.

If you or someone else need youth support, please reach out to the resources below: 

-Teen Tallk App: Get help with various mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, & more. Take control of your social and emotional health with a free mobile app just for teens.

-Teen Line: CALL 866-465-0083 Nationwide (6 PM - 10 PM PST) Every Night. Text 839863 (6 PM - 9 PM PST). Email or use the message boards via https://www.teenline.org.

-The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project Provides Crisis Support Services For LGBTQ Young People. Call, Chat, or Text for 24/7 Crisis Support Services, https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Did you know Washington, D.C. has 3 mayors!? Yes, D.C. is led by an official Mayor, voted by citizens. But, there are also two recognized youth mayors who are elected by two separate entities. Check out this episode to hear directly from two esteemed young officials dedicated to civic engagement and politics.

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Diya Bardwell is a recent Youth Mayor with the YMCA's D.C. Youth and Government program. YMCA Youth & Government is a nationwide civic program that prepares high school students for moral and political leadership. During her term, she worked to improve access to youth voting education, civic engagement within local government, and other resources to ensure that every student has equal and equitable access to our programs. Outside of her civics and political work, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, and spending time with her family. 
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Lourdes Robinson is the 72nd Youth Mayor of the District of Columbia. D.C.’s Youth Mayor engages in issues that affect youth. The mayor meets with city leaders and youth to ensure changes are being made, and that youth voices are heard; and pushes for the success of all youth in the District. One of Robinson's initiatives is authoring legislation to implement financial literacy classes in schools. She is heavily involved in International Affairs. Over the summer, she participated in the 2022 United States Youth Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State. Her most recent achievement was founding a not-for-profit organization, Melanated Soul (www.melanatedsoul.co), which provides a mental health outlet for Black youth in the District.

Bullying is awful and it comes in so many forms. Sometimes teens even experience it online or through social media. If it happens, should you keep it to yourself or  tell an adult? What if they don't listen? Do I tell a friend? What if they don't know what to do? How can therapy help? Navigating these situations can be difficult. But knowing others share your experiences can be comforting as you seek out the best advice and resources for you. Tune in to a heartfelt episode where three youth hosts tell their own stories about bullying and cyberbullying. 

Need more help? Visit www.stopbullying.gov today and remember, you are not alone.