Youth Voice Matters: Listening to Newton County Students
Young people know what they need — they just don’t always get asked.
That’s why Newton Community Partnership (NCP is proud to support Youth Voice Matters, an initiative led by the Newton Education Foundation (NEF) in partnership with Youth Voice Matters, a national youth-adult partnership organization focused on centering young people’s lived experiences.
This project creates intentional space for students to share their perspectives, articulate their needs, and help shape solutions that support youth well-being in Newton County.
Why Youth Voice Matters
Adolescents today are navigating complex challenges and are often impacted by decisions made without their direct input. Youth Voice Matters addresses this gap by bringing students and adults together in a collaborative, youth-led process.
Through structured listening sessions, students are invited to:
Share their experiences in school and community settings
Identify needs and challenges affecting their well-being
Propose solutions that support thriving youth
Listening to youth isn’t just good practice — it’s essential for building responsive, resilient communities.
How the Project Works
Youth Voice Matters in Newton County is built around a youth-adult partnership model that includes:
🎤 Youth-Led Listening Sessions
High school students are trained as facilitators and lead listening sessions with 8th graders across Newton County middle schools. These sessions center peer-to-peer engagement and create a space where students feel heard and respected.
🤝 Adult Allies
Adult Allies are educators, youth-serving professionals, and community members who support the process by learning alongside youth, helping facilitate sessions, and reinforcing youth voice in their work.
NCP is proud to share that Mollie and Noelle are participating as Adult Allies, supporting this important work and deepening our organization’s commitment to youth-centered engagement.
📊 Community Reporting
At the conclusion of the project, Youth Voice Matters and NEF will analyze themes and insights gathered from students and share a report highlighting youth-identified needs and solution-focused recommendations for the community.
Opportunities for Teens and Adults
This initiative includes meaningful opportunities for both youth and adults to get involved:
Paid leadership roles for high school students serving as youth facilitators
Compensated Adult Ally roles for those working directly with teens
Free training opportunities focused on youth voice and partnership
These experiences build leadership skills, strengthen community connection, and reinforce the value of listening across generations.
A Strong Start
The project recently kicked off with a gathering of Adult Allies and partners, setting the stage for listening sessions beginning later this school year.
Why This Matters to NCP
At Newton Community Partnership, we believe that empowering youth means listening to them — not just serving them.
Supporting Youth Voice Matters aligns with NCP’s commitment to:
Youth empowerment and leadership
Community resilience
Trauma-responsive and inclusive engagement
By amplifying youth voice, we strengthen families, schools, and the broader Newton County community.
Learn More or Get Involved
Adults interested in serving as an ally or learning more about youth-adult partnership are encouraged to explore this opportunity.
🔗 Learn more and sign up: bit.ly/YVNewtonAdults
Together, we can ensure young people are not just heard — but truly listened to.