Supporting the Well-Being of Youth and Young Adults In Challenging Times
YTFG’s Spring meeting focused on the question: how best can we support the well-being of young people given the tumultuous climate in which we're operating. Our meeting was chock full of opportunities to strategize, learn, connect, and refuel!
Plenary Sessions
We were excited to lift up and learn from incredible leaders in Philadelphia to support this conversation, notably:
Visionary leaders working to redefine "community safety" including David Irizarry, a Stoneleigh Fellow working with the Philadelphia Police Department to reduce gang violence and Sarah Katz, a Stoneleigh Fellow working to reduce family separation and child welfare involvement based on "safety" findings.
On the heels of a recent report listing Philadelphia as one of the poorest large cities, city leaders were working on an ambitious regional growth strategy, including a focus on economic mobility for youth and young adults. We heard from Cynthia Figueroa, the President and CEO of JEVS Human Services, Dan Rhoten from Hope Works, and Jacqueline Flynn from HopePHL.
Folks leading power building efforts focused on leadership development, organizing, and advocacy. We were thrilled to highlight the work of YEAH Philly, Philly Voices for Change, and Care Not Control.
Finally, we lifted up local work in innovative narrative change strategies, particularly of organizations who are investing in and controlling the means of narrative production.
System-Specific Break Outs
In addition to our plenary conversations on cross-systems issues, we also built in time for work group conversations to go deep on system-specific challenges. The Youth Justice, Foster Care and Economic Well-Being Work Groups broke down critical issues and connected with and learned from local leaders working on the front lines of transformation.
Tuesday, April 14
Opening Session
Tonyel Edwards, YTFG Co-Chair
State of the City Report
Maridarlyn Gonzalez, Officer and Jun Ho Phue, Senior Associate, The Pew Charitable Trusts
What Young People and the Organizations that Serve Need to Thrive
Sean Vereen, Executive Director, Heights
Reimagining Community Safety: Centering Youth and Family Well-Being
What does true community safety look like when it is defined by young people and families themselves? This panel brought together leaders from youth- and family-serving systems who are advancing innovative approaches that move beyond traditional, punitive models toward strategies rooted in healing and opportunity.
Moderator: Lyman Legters, Casey Family Programs
David Irizarry, Stoneleigh Fellow, Director of Gang Reduction and Youth Development, Philadelphia Police Department
Sarah Katz, Stoneleigh Fellow, Clinical Professor of Law and Head of the Family Law Litigation Clinic, Temple University
Anne Marie Ambrose, Assistant District Attorney/Special Advisor, Youth Justice Division, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office
Economic Mobility: Building a City Where Young People Grow and Thrive
A recent report ranked Philadelphia as the lowest of the 50 largest cities in economic mobility. In response, city leaders have created a regional strategy, prioritizing workforce, economic development and housing initiatives. This panel included insights from local leaders working to support the economic well-being and mobility of young people in the city.
Moderator: Jeff Poirier, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Marion Campbell, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Eddie’s House
Cynthia Figueroa, President and CEO of JEVS Human Services
Dan Rhoton, Executive Director, Hope Works
Wednesday, April 15:
Power Building: Leadership Development, Organizing and Advocacy
Lasting change doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through intentional leadership, strategic organizing, and sustained advocacy. This panel explored how leaders in Philadelphia are cultivate powering to transform systems, influence policy, and advance equity.
Moderator: Mishi Faruqee, Andrus Family Fund
Kendra Van de Water, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Youth Empowerment For Advancement Hangout (YEAH) Philly
April Lee, Co-Founder, Philly Voice for Change
Autumn Talley, Coalition Director, Care, Not Control
Building Narrative Infrastructure and Owning the Means of Narrative Production
Narratives shape policy, culture, and power. But, who creates and controls the story—and the platforms that amplify it—matters just as much as the message itself. This panel explored the range of strategies for building critical narrative infrastructure and delve deeper into the strategy of owning narrative production tools, including independent media platforms for storytelling.
Moderator: Molly de Aguiar, ED of the People's Media Fund
Michaela Pommells, Executive Director, Youth First Justice Collaborative
Brit Christopher, Youth First Justice Collaborative Curatorial Apprentices, Stoneleigh Youth Advocacy Fellow
Janine Spruill, Founder and Executive Director, Lil Filmmakers
Taylor Wells, Teaching Artist, Lil Filmmakers
Immersive Learning Session: Case Studies of Investing in Narrative Change Strategies
Stoneleigh Foundation: Investing in Leaders Advancing Narrative Change
Anne Marie McGrory, Director of Communications, Stoneleigh Foundation
Steve Volk, Stoneleigh Fellow and Investigative Reporter, Resolve Philly
Dr. Jay Breneman, Stoneleigh Fellow and Director of Firearm Suicide Prevention Policy, CeaseFirePA Education Fund
People’s Media Fund: Investing in Community-Centered Narrative Infrastructure
Molly de Aquiar, President, People’s Media Fund
Hotel Information
Our meeting was held at the Palomar Hotel located at 117 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.