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On Tuesday, June 30, we were proud to celebrate the graduation of 15 young people from the second cohort of our Youth Action Levels UP program. What an incredible 12-week journey it has been! 

Our youth leaders' dedication, resilience, and willingness to show up authentically — especially on the days when it was not easy — made this experience truly special. They challenged themselves, supported one another, and spoke their truths with courage and conviction. Throughout the program, we emphasized that success is found in the journey itself, and this graduation is not an ending, but a milestone.

As one participant reflected, “I realized that belonging isn’t really about being there all the time. Sometimes it is about enjoying and experiencing the moments that you’re there for.”

Along the way, participants were introduced to new challenges that invited them to imagine what other possibilities are out there. As they move forward, we know they will carry the lessons, relationships, and leadership skills they have gained into the next chapter of their lives.

Youth Action Levels UP is a 12-week youth empowerment and peer support program designed and co-created by young people and youth mentors at Open Buffalo. During this cohort, participants engaged in a transformative journey focused on personal growth, community awareness, and supporting one another. Through six key learning pillars, students explored their identities, values, and motivations while building stronger relationships through teamwork, mutual support, and self-reflection.

Participants deepened their understanding of the historical and economic factors that have shaped communities, examining topics such as race, equity, wealth, and generational opportunity. They also developed tools to strengthen their emotional well-being, learning about resilience, a growth mindset, self-regulation, and strategies for overcoming challenges.

The program encouraged youth to become active and informed community members by exploring civic engagement, community organizing, direct service, and the role of government. Along the way, they built essential workforce and leadership skills, including public speaking, communication, collaboration, and professional readiness.

One young person shared about traveling with the group, saying, they'd “never really been out like that with a group for something positive, and just being there with everybody, seeing the [state] capital, moving as a team—I liked it a lot. It felt big, like we were actually being taken serious as youth.” Just as important as it is for young people to speak up, they also need to feel comfortable, seen, and confident, to know that they will be taken seriously.

The final pillar of the program challenged participants to think about justice, advocacy, and their future roles as leaders. By exploring concepts of social justice, community impact, and personal purpose, students identified their own “North Star” — the values and goals that will guide them as they continue to create positive change in their communities. As one graduate shared in their end-of-year speech, “This program has not only helped me grow in confidence but has also shown me the power of community and advocacy.”

As graduates of the program, these young leaders leave with greater confidence, knowledge, and a commitment to making meaningful contributions to the world around them. The goal is for more young leaders to encourage their peers, just as one participant advised future participants: “Sometimes you have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable and come out of your shell for better opportunities. You may not know, but those around you can benefit from you without you even knowing it.” It is also for more young people to understand the bigger picture of leadership, including the lesson that “leadership isn’t about having a title. It’s about how you treat people, how you support others, and the example you set every day. Even the smallest actions can make a big difference.”