Youth Voice Amplified

❤️ In the heartfelt conclusion to our captivating two-part series, Evelette shares her experiences as a teen parent, overcoming challenges during high school, and dealing with homelessness.  She reveals the sacrifices she made to provide a stable home for her daughter and her unwavering commitment to being there for her child every step of the way. Join us for this inspiring episode as Evelette, now a youth advocate, draws from her own journey to offer hope and guidance to other youth facing similar struggles. Witness her advocacy for homeless youth and the debunking of misconceptions, making a significant impact on policy-makers and agencies. Be prepared for a transformative story of hope, compassion, and the incredible power of resilience!

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

Ever since she could remember, Evelette has battled extraordinary circumstances, made tough decisions, and overcome difficult challenges…all while on her own. In this inspiring two-part series, Evelette takes us on an unforgettable journey through her experiences in foster care, becoming a teen parent, and completing high school despite homelessness. With the support of caring adults, her love for her children, and unwavering hope, Evelette defied the odds and found the strength to persevere. Brace yourself for an extraordinary story of resilience and determination!

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

Manuel has lived a lot of life in his 20 years. He joined us to share his deeply personal story tracing his journey from running with the wrong crowd and incarceration as a teen to a college student and community advocate with a heart for service. Manuel describes the hard choices he had to make starting at a young age and the emotional impact of stigma on juvenile justice-involved youth. He also shares the transformative power that one caring adult had in helping to shape him into the man he is today. Manuel's life story of resilience and perseverance is heartwarming and laced with messages of hope and positivity that will inspire listeners of all ages. It could very well change your life!

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

Want to know how you can do better for foster youth? We spoke to three students who are in foster care and ask them that question and more! Listen to their insights about supporting foster youth in school, their experiences about going through out-of-home care, and their advice for other youth in care.

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:
Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

Come with us as we bring our podcast to the California Foster Care Education Summit that happened on March 27 and 28, 2023 in Garden Grove, California. We sat down with foster youth-adult allies and asked them six questions about foster care and education. They also share their hopes for foster youth and how every adult can make a difference in a youth’s education.

Read the transcript to our interview with our guest Genesis!

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:
Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

In celebration of Foster Care Awareness Month, we spoke with Frenchie, a former foster youth, who shares his journey through the foster care system including what his experience has been like after leaving care and what he would say to a youth experiencing foster care right now. He also opened up about the resilience and inner strength he discovered during tough times, along with the supports and services he has received to achieve his goals for himself. Frenchie’s powerful story will help listeners understand the emotional impact foster care has on children and youth, and the challenges foster youth can encounter after turning 18, including homelessness. If you want to learn how you too can help foster youth keep moving forward, this episode is for you.

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

In this episode, we talk with Ghost who was diagnosed at a young age with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) -  a chronic disease that affects more than 245,000 American children and adolescents under age 20.  She opens up about her childhood diagnosis story, what a typical day looks like for her managing her diabetes, and her journey toward independence during college.

Even though Type 1 is the most common type of diabetes in U.S. youth,  we learned there are still a lot of misconceptions about the disease.  Ghost sets the record straight by dispelling common T1D myths and offering helpful advice to newly diagnosed youth, their families, and schools. Ghost also stresses how important patience, understanding, and the support of her family and friends have been for her to live a full, active, and healthy life.

If you want to become a better ally for youth with Type 1 Diabetes, don't miss this episode!

Sources:

• Type 1 Diabetes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

Get ready! It’s time to get some deeper insights about the role of youth voice in our schools and the community from our expert guest for this episode. We sit down with homeless youth advocate Allyson Baptiste from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office to discuss the importance of championing student voices in schools and community agency programs.  Like us, she is passionate about lifting up youth voices as an instrument of change, but how can schools and agencies ensure that the voices of all students are heard? What does authentic student voice mean?  What does it sound like?

Allyson provides insight to research around the positive impact of youth voice on student learning and program improvement.  She also shares examples, ideas, and resources to help you inject youth voice into your schools, programs, and equity work. Listen to get all your questions answered!

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Visit the KCSOS Student Voice Website at kern.org/hip

Additional Resources:

• Fernandez, Maria-Paz, Sy Doan, and Elizabeth D. Steiner, Use, Capture, and Value of Student Voice in Schools: Findings from the 2021 Learn Together Surveys. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2021. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA827-4.html
• Mitra, Dana and Steven Jay Gross. “Increasing Student Voice in High School Reform.” Educational Management Administration & Leadership 37 (2009): 522 - 543. 

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

It’s time to roll out the red carpet for our special guest, Melie. She's here to share her journey through homelessness during the Pandemic and how she became a full-time college student who is now bringing a voice to the experience of homeless youth in our community.

Melie’s courageous story shines a light on the often-invisible realities of homeless youth for our listeners. She is a tremendous example of strength, resiliency, and hope.  In fact, the day of the podcast recording marked the 3rd anniversary of her losing her permanent housing.  Listen to her full-circle story! 

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!

Hey everyone and welcome to our podcast!   In this first episode, we want you to get to know us by listening to our own personal stories and our "Why" for this new podcast series.   We will also share what we mean by youth voice, why it is important, and what you can expect during this first season when we give youth the mic to share their personal stories.

Find helpful resources mentioned in this podcast episode.

Connect with Youth Voice Amplified

• Youth Voice Amplified Podcast
• Instagram – @youthvoiceamplifiedpodcast
• Youth Voice Amplified on Facebook 

If you would like to ask us a question, recommend a topic, or suggest a guest, please email us at [email protected].

Credits:

Producers: Brian Johnson, Gennessa Fisher, Kim Silva, and Allyson Baptiste
Production Partners: Kern Education Television Network, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office and Liam Silva
Theme Song: “Beatitude” by Mountaineer 

💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!