Youth Voice Amplified

Carter Beardsley, is not just a student—he's a changemaker! As the Region 8 President of the California Association of Student Councils, Chairman of the Kern Literacy Council's Youth Literacy Committee, and a Bakersfield Youth Commissioner, Carter is at the forefront of uplifting student voices in his school and the community. Join us as Carter shares his personal journey into leadership...

In the powerful conclusion of our two-part series, we pick up where we left off, diving deeper into Rico's transformative journey. After being harshly judged by his community and witnessing friends succumb to drug use, Rico made the life-changing decision to shift his mindset and, ultimately, his destiny. Now, as a peer support specialist, Rico dedicates his life to helping homeless and foste...

Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life! Join us for an inspiring two-part series on Youth Voice Amplified as we delve into Rico's incredible journey of resilience and transformation. In part one, Rico opens up about his challenging early life, where survival was the only goal. He shares vivid stories of his childhood struggles, from navigating difficult circumstances like homelessness and gang...

Join us for the powerful conclusion of Himothy's journey on Youth Voice Amplified.🌟  After the birth of his daughter, Himothy made a complete turnaround, dedicating himself to community service, full-time work, and pursuing higher education. 🎓 In this episode, Himothy reflects on his life after overcoming years of hardship, sharing what he's most proud of and how he's found fulfil...

 🌟 Join us on a special two-part episode as we dive into the remarkable story of Himothy on Youth Voice Amplified.  From a young age, Himothy faced adversity and challenges head-on, including entering the juvenile detention system at just 12 years old. Despite facing instability in his early years, Himothy discovered a sense of belonging and purpose in sports, which became a guiding force in his...

In this gripping conclusion to Horus's story on Rising Phoenix, he reveals the profound impact of COVID-19 on his life, detailing the challenges he faced in securing stable housing and employment. Living along the Kern River, he recounts a harrowing near-death experience after being attacked by a group targeting homeless individuals. A chance encounter leads him to a remarkable discovery abou...

Join us for part one of 'Rising Phoenix: Horus' Unbreakable Sprit,' where we delve into Horus' courageous journey through childhood challenges and homelessness. From a young age, Horus faced the daunting reality of being on his own, constantly shifting from one school to another, and feeling the weight of loneliness. In this raw and honest conversation,  he also opens up about...

Get ready to be inspired as we dive into 2024 with Jo’s remarkable story on Youth Voice Amplified! Jo's story resonates with the struggles many of us encounter. In this candid conversation, she bares it all, sharing her experiences being homelessness at a young age to facing tough times and foster care in her teenage years.  Discover how her connection to her family and her time in foster car...

We have a special gift for our listeners this holiday season!  🎁🎉🎙️ In September 2023, we had the honor of moderating the Voices of Resilience student panel at the 2023 EMBRACE Equity Symposium, where educators from across California converged to champion equity and inclusion in schools. In this episode, you'll hear the uplifting conversation we led with an exceptional group of youth who&ap...

In honor of Homeless Youth Awareness Month, "Youth Voice Amplified" brings you an inspiring episode featuring Michelle Blalock, the Homeless Education Liaison, and Gabby Britt, a Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker, both dedicated to making a difference in the lives of homeless students. They are on the front lines, tackling the pressing needs and challenges often overlooked in s...

In celebration of our 10th episode, we have a special guest who brings a unique perspective on the intersection of student voice and equity in education, especially for students facing adversity like those experiencing homelessness and foster care. Join us as we welcome Dr. John Mendiburu, the Superintendent of Kern County Schools, to the "Youth Voice Amplified" podcast! In this mileston...

In this special back-to-school episode, we're diving headfirst into the inspiring story of Tom, a former foster youth who defied the odds to pursue higher education. Join hosts Gennessa and Brian as they unravel the challenges, triumphs, and insights that shaped Tom’s journey to and through college. From navigating the complexities of foster care placements to conquering the unexpected hurdle...

❤️ 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, n...

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...

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...

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 You...

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 inter...

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...

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 ty...

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 lift...

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 tremend...

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 mention...

Every youth has a story to tell. Are you ready to listen?  Check out our trailer!   💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Text us and share your take!