Second Story’s Youth Council is a brave group of seventh- to twelfth-grade student leaders in the Bailey’s Crossroads area. They use their lived experiences to help advocate for change in their neighborhoods while serving as role models for their peers in the Culmore area. And their leadership is greatly needed in Culmore, where many young people face strong pulls from drugs, gangs, trafficking, and other safety threats. Our Youth Council members have participated in leadership conferences, serve on Second Story’s Board of Directors, and have contributed to numerous Fairfax County focus groups to voice their ideas and opinions for their generation in hopes of creating change.
According to Second Story’s Kimberlyn Pena, “They do not let what others tell them is their limit become their reality.”
Recently, Second Story’s Youth Council shared their perspectives on the current opioid epidemic through art projects. Their exhibit was on display at Woodrow Wilson Library and caught the attention of local news media. Read more and view some examples of their powerful art in the story linked below.
If you are a student in the Culmore area interested in joining Second Story’s Youth Council, learn more and share your interest.
