Empowering Youth Voices: Advocacy in Foster Care and Juvenile Justice Systems

This is part 1 in a 2-part series. In this episode of the Youth Empowerment Radio podcast by Youth Move Colorado, host Carmen kicks off a series on youth voice and advocacy. They are joined by Braden Babcock, Shelby Costello, and Dominique, three youth advocates with lived experiences in the juvenile justice and foster care systems. The discussion delves into how youth can utilize their voices for change, influence policy, and raise awareness about youth advocacy within organizations. The guests share their personal journeys into advocacy, highlight important initiatives like the Sibling Bill of Rights, and stress the critical role of adults in supporting and listening to young advocates. They also explore the complexities and nuances of advocating within different systems and the impact it has on creating meaningful changes.

00:00 Introduction to Youth Empowerment Radio
01:38 Meet the Youth Advocates
02:32 Shelby's Advocacy Journey
03:29 Al's Advocacy Work and Challenges
05:18 Understanding Youth Advocacy
07:03 Navigating the Juvenile Justice System
16:50 The Role of Adults in Youth Advocacy
18:47 Improving Support Systems for Youth
23:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts