New Resource Alert! Youth Media Training Modules
CYESS Youth Consultants are a group of young people aged 13-22 passionate about making change in their communities! As young leaders affiliated with CYESS partners and related organizations, the Youth Consultants are self-identified experts on a variety of topics, and are eager to provide their input and expertise to policy, industry, and program professionals.
If you are an adult who wants to tap the expertise of these young people, contact us! The CYESS Youth Consultants can speak on panels, provide feedback on various projects, proposals, or legislation, and participate in communications campaigns and outreach as appropriate.
If you are a young person aged 13-22 who wants to join our cohort of youth consultants, sign up for our google classroom! You will join a group of youth who share your desire to make change and access national, state, and local opportunities we share with the cohort. You can take advantage of training modules we have developed to help you be a good advocate and be the first to hear about opportunities to share your voice and expertise.
Amplify youth voices in advocacy — Media is Your Megaphone shows you how.
By Leah Silverberg Posted: Jun 20, 2025
Youth voices are one of the most powerful tools we have in advocacy. Their stories can change hearts, shape policy, and impact their communities. When young people share their experiences, insights, and hopes for the future, it resonates and inspires change.
It’s essential for programs and educators to amplify for youth voices and to provide tools that help young people advocate for the issues they care about. With prospective funding cuts to afterschool programs nationwide , we need to empower the young people in afterschool programs to share the importance and impact of afterschool program participation. The risk is enormous: 1.4 million children and young people across the United States are at risk of losing their afterschool programs if 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding is eliminated in next year’s federal budget. 94% of these programs offer afterschool STEM learning, which provide young people with opportunities to learn the STEM skills and knowledge to solve community challenges and be successful in their lives and careers.
The Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM and Society (CYESS) has created just the tool to do that. Media is Your Megaphone is a free, five-part video series designed to help young people use media as a force for change… Read more on The Afterschool Snack.