2024 NW Ohio Youth Leadership Retreat

Link to more photos.

On Saturday, March 30, 2024, the OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio partnered with The Ohana Project, Lucas County Children Services, Allen County Children Services and the Bridges NW Regional Coordinator to plan and facilitate a Northwest Ohio Youth Leadership Retreat for current and former foster youth (ages 14-24).

The event took place in Toledo at Brookwood Park. 

 Activities included:

• An introductory skit
• Sharing the History of the Foster Care Youth and Alumni Movement 
• Strategic Sharing activity with laminated traffic lights
• Discussing the Value of Youth Advisory Boards
• A hands-on nonverbal communication exercise
• Icebreaker Balls to recap morning learning
• Youth working on their Youth Advocate Profile
• A Leadership Styles activity
• A Conflict Resolution activity

2024 OHIO YAB Promotional Video Project ~ Filming

 

Link to more photos. 

On Friday, March 22, 2024, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors participated in filming for an OHIO YAB promotional video. Videographer Shalonda Swanson, of Yemoja Speaks, is a former foster youth herself. Youth participants included Yavian Webster, Miatta Joe, Aaron Brown, Erik Ezekiel and Jahmie Woods. 

The OHIO YAB is grateful to Ann Bischoff for providing the video location, and to Deric Cobb, Yvonne Williams and Kim Eckhart for providing transportation.

Youth recommendations for future video projects, based on their experience with this one are:

1. Provide food and beverages.
2. Make sure young adult participants have the specific questions ahead of time, as they did for this opportunity.
3. Less is more when it comes to questions: Fewer questions; shorter questions.
4. It mattered who asked the questions and how well they knew that person.
5. Importance of doing something silly and fun afterwards, with adult supporters.