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What an incredible end to the year.

Open Buffalo’s Inaugural Youth Action Levels Up program graduated 16 young leaders last night. Each one of them has overcome their own individual challenges when it comes to being a leader. Challenges like fearing the judgement of their peers, fearing they don’t sound professional enough, or fearing that no one is going to listen.

We spent 12 weeks building and empowering their ability to be themselves. Encouraging them to be uncomfortable and speak up, not just for themselves, but for their peers and communities, respectfully.

Last night, we witnessed that hard work does pay off.

“I am happy, because now I am able to speak freely without feeling judged. Youth Action Levels Up has given me a reason to be me, finally, without feeling full of shame. I am honestly grateful to share with you my true authentic self. You are witnessing tonight!" said a young leader in finishing their graduation speech.

The young folks that completed our program truly became a family that wanted everyone to be better, challenging and supporting each other all the way to the very end. Every one of them proved themself by speaking in front of more than 50 people for their banquet, a true testimony to their abilities after 12 weeks of training, peer-to-peer connection, and mentorship.

To quote one of the young graduates last night, “So, as we move forward and take everything we learned with us, remember this experience doesn’t end here. It lives in the choices we make, the way we treat others, and how we handle challenges. We’re not the same people we were when we started, and that growth matters.”