Youth Liberation Institute

SIREN's Youth Liberation Institute is relatively new, just over a year old in San Jose, and this is my first year working with youth. It has been a steep learning curve, but an amazing challenge that I am very grateful for. Being that there is so much newness in this program, we often find ourselves building the plane as we're flying it.

Our main focus is teaching youth professional and personal skills to prepare them to be strong and confident adults. Our projects usually involve policy or some sort of campaign. In reading the book, I have found many helpful ways to structure our program.

I want to participate in this program because I want to hear from educators about their approach and also hope to ask questions that came up while I was reading.

SIREN's Youth Liberation Institute is a group of dedicated youth between the ages 13-21 who aim to protect their future through policy work and community building. This is a youth-led program where all programming is made for youth by youth.

Most students will focus on immigration related issues. Other areas of interest have been environmental and labor focused.