Youth Voice Toolbox

The Freechild Project defines Youth Voice as the active, distinct, and concentrated ways young people represent themselves throughout society. The Youth Voice Toolbox, which is comprised of a series of one- and two-sheet publications, contains tools that identify a number of innovative practices, practical considerations and critical concepts that are focused on engaging Youth Voice, particularly among historically disengaged young people. The following sections make up the toolbox: Introduction to Youth Voice, Definitions - Youth Voice Glossary, Assumptions - Assumptions Behind Youth Voice, Principles - Principles of Authentic Youth Engagement, Measure - Measure of Social Change Led By and With Young People, Ladder - Ladder of Youth Participation, Keys - Keys to Youth Voice, Cycle - Cycle of Youth Voice, Guidelines - Guidelines for Youth Voice, Honoring - 5 Ways to Honor Youth Voice, Relationships - Youth/Adult Relationships Spectrum, Environments - Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment for Youth Voice, Diversity - The Diversity of Youth Voice, Roles - New Roles for Youth Voice, Movement - The Youth Voice Movement, Discrimination - Discrimination Against Youth Voice, Myths - Myths About Youth Voice, Assessments - Assessing Youth Voice, End - The End of Youth Voice, Summary - Youth Voice Tip Sheet, Organizations - Youth Voice Organizations, Publications - Youth Voice Publications, and Links - Youth Voice Links. The Freechild Project has been promoting Youth Voice in nonprofit organizations, schools, foundations and government agencies since it was founded in 2001. Working with a variety of partners across the country, Freechild has learned about Youth Voice from the thousands of young people and adult allies in their workshops and critical conversations. This Youth Voice Toolkit is a summary of different tools they have developed, as well as a few adaptations of work others have done. (author)