Our first YouthSpeak event prompted young people to share their stories about education and the barriers and supports they face. 

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16 youth spoke to 15 listening panelists, all of whom were state or local decision-makers. Their stories touched on expulsion, mental health, academic pressure, unplanned pregnancy, homelessness, high student-to-teacher ratios, ageism, LGBTQ discrimination, and alternative education. 

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After the event, a small group of youth speakers and policymakers met at Ozone House's Drop-In Center in Ypsilanti to further discuss the themes touched on at YouthSpeak and how they can work together to better support youth seeking a quality education in Washtenaw County.