Youth Engagement

Another Step for Youth Podcast

Another Step Graphic

As the first UNICEF-recognized Child-Friendly City in the United States, Houston is a national leader of children’s rights and continues to spearhead initiatives prioritizing the well-being of its youth. The Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement, in collaboration with the City of Houston Youth Ambassadors, developed the “Another Step for Youth” to create awareness and discuss efforts in Houston to advance children’s rights.

The podcast episodes highlight the Child Friendly City Initiative goal areas, from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children: safety and inclusion, youth participation, equitable social services, safe living environments and play and leisure. The goals of the podcast include:

  • Highlight the importance of youth voices
  • Empower youth to advocate for themselves and their community
  • Invite youth to join and support organizations that prioritize their rights, such as the Child Friendly Cities Initiative in the City of Houston

The City of Houston Youth Ambassadors selected the topics and rights discussed in each episode, developed the scripts and designed the artwork for the podcast. The youth ambassadors are also the podcast hosts and facilitate intergenerational conversations with child rights leaders from United Against Human Trafficking, Cherish Our Children, Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Alief Votes, Houston Public Library, and the Nature Conservancy.

The production of “Another Step for Youth” wouldn’t have been possible without the steadfast support of the Houston Community Action Council and the dedication of the City of Houston Youth Ambassadors.

We invite you to listen and share the “Another Step for Youth” podcast, episodes available below,  and join Houston in taking another significant step towards a brighter future for its youth. Once you tune in, we would appreciate your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think about the Another Step for Youth Podcast! Please find a list of the released podcast links below and enjoy!

Children ages 0-17 comprise 25% of City of Houston's population or approximately 600,000 people! Click here to listen to the podcast episode and learn more about what it means to support children and their rights, or view the video below.

 

Here below is the first Spotify podcast

Children should feel safe and live their life to the fullest and develop healthily. Tune in to Episode 2: Safety and Inclusion to learn more about how we can ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment. Specifically we will be talking to Cherish Our Children and United Against Human Trafficking about how to best support children with incarcerated parents and protect youth from human trafficking.

 

Here below is the second Spotify podcast

Every child has the right to have a say in all matters affecting them, and to have their views taken seriously. Tune into Episode 3: Youth Participation and hear from Alexavier and Tommy, Houston youth leaders, as they discuss their advocating experiences and share advice for youth on how to have their voices heard in the decisio making of their communities.

 

Here below is the third Spotify podcast

Hear from child rights champions Dr. Freeny from Mental Health America and LaTrisha Milton from the Houston Public Library and learn how they work to ensure the right to equitable social services. They share important advice and resources available to youth to enhance their education and improve their mental health.

 

Here below is the fourth Spotify podcast

Children have the right to a clean, safe, and sustainable living environment for healthy development, which includes affordable and secure housing, clean air, access to the outdoors, and access to healthcare. Tune in to Episode 5 to learn from Houston environmental leader Jaime Gonzalez from the Nature Conservancy on how we can ensure this right is met and how youth can advocate and work with adults to secure safe living environments for children.

 

Here below is the fifth Spotify podcast

Tune in to Episode 6 to hear from youth inventor, Anahi, and learn about a child's right to rest, relax, play and take part in cultural and creative activities. You will also hear from Chrisette, a youth advocate for children with disabilities, who will speak on the the right of children with disabilities to live a full life with dignity and independence, and to play an active part in the community.

 

Here below is the sixth Spotify podcast

Tune in to the seventh and final episode of the Another Step for Youth podcast to hear directly from the City of Houston Youth Ambassadors who created the podcast and worked on other projects to address children's rights and the issues they care about. In this special segment, you will also hear from Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Director of the Mayor's Office of Education and Youth Engagement, Olivera Jankovska, on their thoughts about youth engagement.

 

Here below is the seventh Spotify podcast