Safe Streets Wichita partnered with United Way of the Plains and Wichita Public Schools to secure funding and provide resources to help 11 student leaders implement service learning projects through Youth Service America mini-grants. The youth-led projects promoted mental health advocacy, youth leadership, literacy, civic engagement and substance use prevention.
Some of the Safe Streets youth mobilizers who were also grant recipients were:
High school senior Amy Nguyen, created a mental health storytelling project called Positive Outlooks Project. Amy interviewed high school students on their lived experiences of adversity, hope, and healing. Amy will be printing off booklets to distribute to the community and hosting a book launch event where she will have guest speakers, spoken poetry, musical performances, and opportunities for students to connect with each other, our coalition, and other community members.
First grader, Aryanna Ramirez, organized a school/community drive for the foster care children at Wichita Children’s Home.
Alex Butler's event titled, Capture a Chance, is an ongoing guest speaker series on substance use prevention. Alex hosted an event at First Church of God in Christ where students listened to Carolin Morgan speak on the importance of a drug-free life.
High schoolers Truc Dao and Tiffany Tran, co-founders of Students Empowerment, recently wrapped up their Students Empowerment Youth Leaders Panel. On Saturday, April 9th, Truc Dao and Students Empowerment organized several youth-led panels on topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); food insecurity; mental health; and civic engagement. She brought on a wide array of panelists from all walks of life. There were an estimated 60 people in attendance, including Mayor Brandon Whipple, City Council Member Brandon Johnson, USD 259 Board of Education (BOE) President Stan Reeser, USD 259 BOE Vice President Julie Hedrick, and BOE members Hazel Stabler and Diane Albert.
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