25 Creative Ways to Empower Youth: Focusing on storytelling and leadership in Chicago.

When we talk about empowering youth in Chicago, we're not just talking about programs. We're talking about transformation. About giving young people: especially those who've been overlooked, underestimated, or written off: the tools to write their own stories.

This is about Youth Voices and Chicago’s Next Gen leading the way: not someday, but right now.

At True Believers Community Connections, we've learned something powerful over the years: creativity unlocks potential in ways traditional programming simply can't. When you hand a young person a microphone, a camera, or a leadership role, something shifts. They start seeing themselves differently. And that shift? That's where real change begins.

So let's get into it. Here are 25 creative ways to empower youth, with a spotlight on storytelling and leadership: the two pillars that drive everything we do on Chicago's South Side.

If our youth had the mic, what would they change?

Storytelling as a Superpower

Stories have always been how we make sense of the world. For high-risk youth, storytelling becomes even more powerful: it's a way to process trauma, celebrate wins, and claim their narrative.

1. Launch a Youth Podcast Program Our Youth Committee's podcast camp is one of the most exciting things happening at TBCC right now. Young people learn audio production, interviewing techniques, and how to share stories that matter to their communities. They're not just listeners anymore: they're creators.

2. Create Digital Storytelling Workshops Combine writing with technology. Teach youth to create short videos, audio essays, or multimedia presentations about their lives and neighborhoods.

3. Host Open Mic Nights Give young people a stage. Poetry, spoken word, rap: whatever form their voice takes, celebrate it publicly.

4. Develop a "My Story" Journal Program Sometimes the most powerful stories start on paper. Guided journaling helps youth reflect, process, and grow.

5. Train Youth as Community Journalists Empower them to interview neighbors, document local events, and report on issues that matter to their blocks.

6. Partner with Local Media Outlets Connect youth storytellers with professional journalists and media organizations for mentorship and real-world experience.

7. Create Intergenerational Story Circles Pair young people with elders in the community. The exchange of stories across generations builds connection and preserves history.

Leadership That Starts Young

Leadership isn't something you wait to develop. At TBCC, we believe every young person has leadership potential: they just need the opportunity to step into it.

8. Build Leadership Accelerators Our leadership accelerator programs fast-track youth into decision-making roles. They're not just participants; they're co-designers of the programs that serve them.

9. Create Youth Advisory Boards Want to know what young people need? Ask them. Better yet, give them a seat at the table where decisions are made.

10. Develop Peer Mentorship Programs When older youth mentor younger ones, both grow. It builds accountability, confidence, and community.

11. Offer Public Speaking Training The ability to speak confidently changes everything: from job interviews to community organizing.

12. Host Youth-Led Community Events Let young people plan, promote, and execute events. The skills they gain are invaluable.

13. Teach Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice Leadership means knowing how to navigate hard conversations. These skills reduce violence and build safer communities.

14. Create "Shadow a Leader" Days Connect youth with professionals, executives, and community leaders they can learn from firsthand.

Creative Girls, Bold Futures

At TBCC, we know that young women face unique challenges: and deserve programming designed specifically for them. That's why "Creative Girls, Bold Futures" exists.

15. Design Girls-Only Leadership Cohorts Safe spaces matter. When young women can learn and grow together, they push each other further.

16. Focus on STEM + Creativity Who says you can't be an artist AND a scientist? We encourage girls to explore all their interests without limits.

17. Connect Girls with Female Mentors Representation matters. Seeing women in leadership positions shows young girls what's possible.

18. Celebrate Girls' Achievements Publicly Recognition reinforces effort. Host showcases, award ceremonies, and social media spotlights.

19. Address Mental Health Openly Creative expression and leadership development must include emotional support. We integrate wellness into everything we do.

Building Skills That Last

Training for underrepresented youth has to go beyond the basics. Here's how creativity enhances skill-building:

20. Integrate Arts into Financial Literacy Teach budgeting through business simulations. Let youth create mock businesses, design logos, and manage "budgets" for creative projects.

21. Use Gaming for Problem-Solving Video games aren't the enemy. Strategic games teach critical thinking, teamwork, and persistence.

22. Offer Photography and Visual Arts Programs A camera changes how you see the world. Visual arts programs help youth document their communities and express their perspectives.

23. Create Entrepreneurship Incubators Young people have ideas. Give them the resources, mentorship, and funding pathways to turn those ideas into real ventures.

24. Develop Resume and Portfolio Workshops Creative youth need help translating their skills into professional opportunities. Show them how their podcast episode or art project belongs on a resume.

25. Build Alumni Networks Empowerment doesn't end when the program does. Connect past participants with current youth for ongoing support and community.

Why This Matters Right Now

Here's the reality: too many programs for high-risk youth support check boxes instead of changing lives. They offer surface-level activities without going deep. They talk at young people instead of with them.

At TBCC, Dr. Carol and our team take a different approach. We believe that when you invest in a young person's voice: when you give them creative tools and leadership opportunities: you're not just keeping them busy. You're building the next generation of community leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and change-makers.

"Every young person has a story worth telling," Dr. Carol often says. "Our job is to hand them the microphone and get out of the way."

That philosophy drives everything from our Youth Committee's podcast camp to "Creative Girls, Bold Futures" to our leadership accelerators. We're not here to rescue anyone. We're here to resource them.

The Takeaway

Empowering youth in Chicago: especially on the South Side: requires more than good intentions. It requires creativity, consistency, and a willingness to let young people lead.

Whether it's through storytelling, leadership development, or programs designed specifically for young women, the goal is the same: help young people see themselves as powerful, capable, and worthy of investment.

These 25 approaches aren't just ideas. They're invitations. Invitations to think differently about what training for underrepresented youth can look like when we center their voices and creativity.

Get Involved

Ready to support youth empowerment in Chicago? There are so many ways to plug in:

• Volunteer with our Youth Committee programs

• Donate to expand our leadership accelerators and podcast camp

• Share this post with someone who cares about high-risk youth support

• Partner with TBCC to bring creative programming to more young people

Visit True Believers Community Connections to learn more about our work and how you can be part of the movement.

If our youth had the mic, what would they change? Drop your answer, share this with a friend, and help us keep lifting up Youth Voices and Chicago’s Next Gen across the South Side.

Because when we invest in young people's stories and leadership, we're investing in Chicago's future. And that's something worth believing in.

#StayLIT #YouthRising