The Youth Leadership Forum is an exciting annual week-long event for youth around the state. This year, the Statewide Independent Living Council is proud to support this important effort by underwriting the production of a professional video to document the event. Following is a press release sent to newspapers around the state following the 2002 Youth Leadership Forum.
Young people from around the state spent the past week participating in the GCEPD Youth Leadership Forum. The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is an opportunity for teens and young adults with disabilities to meet each other, enhance their leadership skills, and develop a greater understanding of disability issues and advocacy. The Youth Leadership Forum is an annual forum offered by the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and administered by the Vermont Center for Independent Living.
"One expectation of the YLF week is that each student delegate will discover his or her value as a person who can make a positive contribution toward independent living and advocacy, both personally and for other youth with disabilities," according to Pat Dowers, YLF Coordinator. Throughout the week, students participated in a variety of activities designed to develop their leadership and independent living skills. A highlight of the week was a trip to the statehouse in Montpelier last Thursday. Students went on a tour of the capitol and participated in a panel discussion with disability rights advocates, followed by a luncheon with gubernatorial candidates Doug Racine, Con Hogan, and Jim Douglas. Other activities during the week included team-building exercises, a seminar on assistive technology, a discussion about disability curricula in Vermont schools, and practice in decision-making skills.
Youth participants were guided throughout the week by peer mentors, young adults with disabilities. One participant, Jonah Zablow of Montpelier said "My favorite part is the interaction between students and mentors - it's incredibly positive, powerful, and very motivational." The experience is equally as special to the peer mentors. Peer mentor Lisa Franzen of Burlington shared that "I like to meet new people and be able to share my experiences so some of these young people can learn from my experiences and not go through some of the challenges that I experienced. If I feel like I've made a difference in someone's life, I feel I've done my job. It's very important to me."
In addition to being an excellent learning experience, the Youth Leadership Forum provides an opportunity for young people with disabilities to meet each other and have a good time. Amanda Campbell, a participant from Barnet said that her favorite part of the week was that "you get to meet new friends." "It builds community among us," said Monica Mossey of Milton. This week included a trip to Church Street in Burlington, swimming at the UVM pool, a barbecue and dance, and some improv comedy performed by the participants. "The best thing about YLF is that you get to meet new friends.
YLF participants are selected based on their leadership skills, and interest and ability to participate in all aspects of the program. The youth participating in this year's program hail from Barnet, Bennington, Grand Isle, Milton, Montpelier, Whitingham and Woodstock.
The 2002 Youth Leadership Forum was summed up nicely by participant Deseree LeRay of Bennington. "The YLF has taught me more about myself and my disability, and to advocate for myself. I have made many new friends, and learned more about other people."
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