Youth Leadership in Action

Sisterhood 2.0

Image provided by Futures Without Violence and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

This is a youth empowerment program dedicated to providing teenagers in the Pittsburgh area with opportunities that encourage them to take ownership of their communities, to be confident in taking action, and to seek results. YLIA is a part of the Healthy Schools initiative in the Pittsburgh area that is focused on creating a healthier environment for students in schools across the country, and engaging students in creating trauma-informed school environments.

Youth take a strong leadership role in the structure and development of the program, addressing the open-ended question: “How do you want to impact your school?” At every stage in the process, the youth have the authority to shape the future of the program. The Miller Lab and key community members help facilitate the conversations that lead to those decisions, and to support the youth in carrying out their goals.