Community Catalyst’s Count On Youth! program empowers young people to speak their truth and create restorative policy change in Lynn, Massachusetts high schools. The program engages students with lived experience to help raise awareness of the need to change disciplinary action policy in schools. Ten students team up with adult supporters and school staff to adjust or reform the processes that lead to suspension, expulsion, and other forms of separation. With help from program mentors and advocates, students learn to advocate for themselves and take the steps needed to achieve the change they want to see.
Participating students know that change doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes significant time and effort to change school policy. Tower funds for the Count On Youth! program supported student stipends that recognized the value of their efforts. In 2024, Count On Youth! was recognized by the Massachusetts Secretary of Education for its efforts and created a partnership with Lynn-TV Public Access Television to promote the program.
Check out photos of Count On Youth!’s advocacy work in action.
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