The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a multi-day conference for young adults with disabilities, ages 18-30. This year’s YLF took place from June 26th through June 28th at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Each YLF participant explored themes of leadership and left better prepared for future employment, post-secondary education, and independent living.
Read below to learn more about this year’s YLF experience.
Day 1
Although the day started with a bit of rain, everyone’s spirits were high as YLF participants checked in and settled into their dorm rooms.
YLF participants and staff walk in the rain. Photo credit: Mare Silva
The morning agenda featured team introductions, icebreaker activities, and registration for workshops and projects. Participants selected workshops to attend during YLF.
Later, it was time for the much-anticipated keynote speaker: Ali Stroker, a Tony Award-winning actress, best known for her role as “Ado Annie” in Roger Hammerstein’s Oklahoma.
Ali spoke about overcoming the challenges of being an actress in a wheelchair navigating in an inaccessible world. Sharing her lived experiences, Ali spoke passionately about the importance of representation, self-advocacy and the ability to believe in yourself so you can pursue your dreams. She encouraged YLF participants to use their voices and power to advocate for themselves and the next generation.
Through her experiences, she advocated for herself and encouraged the participants to use their voices to advocate for themselves and the next generation.
Ali Stroker smiling, next to a YLF participant, who is smiling and holding a microphone. Photo credit: Mare Silva
Day 2
Day 2 began with our STEAM Employer Forum with our young people meeting with career professionals from various careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. Participants attended workshops related to career readiness.
Day 2 also featured project-based learning sessions, where participants engaged through hands-on, real-world collaborative projects including songwriting, empathy by design, telling your disability story, advocacy, and more.
Steve Higgins, Executive Director of Independence Associates speaks with participants during a workshop. Photo credit: Mare SilvaThe day ended with the ever popular, YLF dance party!
YLF participants dance at the annual YLF dance party. Photo credit: Mare Silva
Day 3
The final day started with workshops that featured both hands-on activities, such as designing a tote bag and sensory activities, and lectures on disability pride and showcasing strengths.
Day 3 continued with a series of workshops, such as Teach Disability History, Disability Pride, All About Health Care: Advocating for Yourself at the Doctors, Building Your Credit, and learning how to silk screen and sensory print making!
A YLF participant takes part in the silk screen tote bag workshop. Photo credit: Mare Silva
The day ended with a closing ceremony, where Youth Leadership Manager, Carol Murray, thanked participants and all those involved with YLF for a successful forum. Peer Leader Sarah Caiazzo Pyke spoke to all participants, reminding all that
“…each of us have such an amazing purpose, and that is the point of YLF, to gain skills to become the most incredible young adults in MA, advocating for the future of youth with disabilities. You are all the next generation of change makers!”
PYD Manager, Carol Murray, gives a speech to the YLF participants. Photo credit: Mare Silva
While the event was formally over, the skills learned during YLF and the bonds and friendships that participants made are certain to last a lifetime.
Thank you to all our partners for making this year’s YLF a possibility, including:
Boston Center for Independent Living
EPIC, Young Leaders with Disabilities
Northeast Independent Living Program
YLF participants smile and wave at the camera at the dance party. Photo credit: Mare Silva