- Teens made clear that heavy-handed approaches shut them down, and they responded better when adults listened and validated their experiences.
- Mental health, the lack of teen-friendly activities, and the dangers of stereotyping including cases of mistaken identity were the top concerns young people brought to the table.
- Leo Louis II and Youth 360 plan to keep the conversations going, with the goal of turning connection and trust into lasting community change.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Omaha teenagers sat across from police officers, elected officials and community leaders in what organizers called a first-of-its-kind conversation aimed at giving young people a voice in shaping their community.
The event, hosted by community organizer Leo Louis II in partnership with Youth 360, brought together teens and adults to discuss mental health, the lack of teen-friendly activities, and the dangers of stereotypes…