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Claiming Personal Power
Resources to Encourage Youth Self-Empowerment

Lesson Content

Sometimes, we may feel overwhelmed by forces beyond our control. We may not be sure of what to do and don’t feel that we have anyone we can turn to get a real read on what we’re facing. Chances are, we have all felt like that at one time or another and wish there were some place to go or someone we could speak with to help us take perspective.

One strategy for battling a sense of isolation is to get involved with others who are banding together to celebrate shared interests, fun, and purpose. Such groups or organizations can be as social as a book club, as athletic as a parkour crew, or as political as you want to be. Here are ideas and resources to help link you up when you want to add your personal power to the company of others.

  • This website promotes awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers. 
  • A clearinghouse for teen activism—from disability rights to water conservation to positivity campaigns—that can link you to the causes closest to your heart and interests. 
  •  By Brett and Kate McKay. The Art of Manliness, July 19, 2013. An introduction to the freestyle sport with tips on how to find a group. 
  •  By Perry Stein. Washington Post, January 21, 2018. An article about how reading and discussing books as a group can be powerful for youth. 
  • A grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. 
  • This organization promotes and supports youth-led campaigns in the United States and globally. 
  • Writer

    Sean McCollum

  • Editor

    Lisa Resnick

  • Producer

    Tiffany A. Bryant

  • Updated

    October 8, 2021

Article Get Your Write On

Writing can involve reading works that fire up your imagination or finding inspiration by connecting with people. Here are a handful of online resources to help you get your write on.

  • Literary Arts
  • Fiction & Creative Writing
  • Community

Article Production 101

So you’ve decided to create your own video – excellent! But maybe you’ve never made a video before, and you’re not sure how take your idea and put it on the screen, whether that’s a big movie theater screen or on someone’s computer.

  • Media Arts
  • Audio Production
  • Video Production
  • At Home

Article Dealing With Trauma

If we have gone through a traumatic experience, we may need help to feel safe and hopeful again. The first step is to connect with people who help us feel protected and secure. Here are some resources that may help with that process. 

  • Sensitive Themes
Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning

Eric Friedman 
Director, Digital Learning

Kenny Neal 
Manager, Digital Education Resources

Tiffany A. Bryant 
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement

JoDee Scissors 
Content Specialist, Digital Learning

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Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;

Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..

The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.