Transforming Young Minds Collectively

by | Nov 8, 2023 | Blog, Children, Community, Events, Family, Integrated health, Men and Boys, Peer Support, Podcast, Programs, Women and Girls, Young Minds Matter, Youth

The theme of our 2023 Young Minds Matter conference is Transforming Our Communities Collectively. With a focus on collaborating with children, youth, and families as decision-makers and leaders in community transformation, the conference promises to be an energizing opportunity to learn from young change-makers. 

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In this episode, Erika Ngo and Alexander Lopez, residents of Houston’s Gulfton neighborhood and students at the University of St. Thomas, join us to discuss empowering youth to engage in civic discourse and their upcoming participation in the 2023 Young Minds Matter conference. 

Giving Back 

Erika and Alex both grew up in the Gulfton neighborhood of southwest Houston, one of the most densely populated and culturally diverse areas of the city. With a large immigrant population, over 50 languages are spoken in the community.

Erika Ngo, smiling.

Erika Ngo, youth leader for The Garden at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Gethsemane Campus.

Currently enrolled as students at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Erika and Alex are also working alongside St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Gethsemane Campus, a partner in the Connect Community coalition. As youth staff members at The Garden, they’re bringing the voices of their Gulfton peers to The Garden’s planning process for a new youth community space. Sharing their passion for civic engagement, Erika and Alex demonstrate the unique capacity, commitment, and resilience of young people. 

“I want my work to be where my heart is, to give back to my community, and to connect to others who share experiences like mine,” says Erika. “I want to motivate others, grow with them, and grow as a community.”  

Having a Voice

The Connect Communities coalition has committed to creating a community center that connects Gulfton residents to a variety of social services and resources, including health care, workforce training, and mentoring.

A dedicated youth space will also be a central element of the soon-to-be-complete center. 

“We want the space to be a place where Gulfton youth feel welcome and feel a sense of belonging,” says Erika. “We want them to feel like it’s a safe place to engage in new activities, take advantage of new opportunities, and experience personal growth.” 

With these goals in mind, Alex and Erika have taken the initiative to bring a collective youth voice into the planning and development process. 

“Alex and I believe it’s essential for youth to develop a sense of ownership in the creation of the space, so we established the Youth Board,” says Erika. “Gathering neighborhood youth from diverse backgrounds, mindsets, schools, age ranges, and perspectives, the Youth Board made it possible to contribute our voices and help nurture this unique opportunity of having a youth center in our community.”  

Engaging the Community 

This year’s Young Minds Matter conference will be an opportunity for Erika and Alex to connect Gulfton residents of all ages to the well-being of their community. They’ll be presenting demographic data on their neighborhood, grounding that data in community members’ lived experiences, and facilitating a workshop for people to share their stories with one another. 

“We want to show what makes Gulfton unique through storytelling and giving people a chance to listen to each other,” says Alex. “We’ll be facilitating 1:1 question and answer sessions and making digital recordings to preserve these community voices.”  

Looking to the Future 

Through sustained effort, Erika and Alex are empowering youth and adults in Gulfton to bring their essential voices to community decision-making. 

Drawing from their own lived experience, taking on leadership roles, facilitating civic engagement, and sharing their community’s unique stories, these dedicated young people are making a long-term investment in the well-being of their community. They know it’s an investment worth making. 

 

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