Youth Voice leaders (left to right) Katherine, Lizette, Jessica, Adrian, Tatiana, Sienna and Angel
Seven youth leaders traveled to San Diego State University last week to explain the science of adverse childhood experiences and the impact of complex trauma, as well as their journey of resilience and transformation to thirty seniors in the university's Counseling and Psychology Department.
Youth Voice has created a sanctuary for youth, ages 11 to 20, to share, learn and create messages of hope and resilience as they teach others about complex trauma and community violence.
This was the second year that Dr. Joey Estrada invited the Youth Voice students - who range in age from 12 to 17 - to talk with his seniors. The Youth Voice students began their three-hour presentation with a lecture about ACEs science. Then, they facilitated a small group discussion on "What youth want counselors to know about their healing journey."
Dr. Estrada reflected, "I am so proud of their capacity to be powerful presenters on such heartfelt topics, such as, domestic violence, molestation, gang violence, and community trauma."
Co-founded by Dana Brown on October 16, 2008, Youth Voice holds weekly meetings in the Mid-City Division of the San Diego Police Department, and has a partnership with the Juvenile Services Team and others in the San Diego community who support the students' journey of hope, healing and transformation.
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