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I AM Youth Empowerment Project

@iamyouthproject

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Helping Philadelphia youth build confidence, leadership and life skills through intentional enrichment and exposure. 🌱

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We teach children positive affirmations to improve their socio-emotional skills, boost their confidence, and encourage community! 💗 Want to learn more? Ready to empower your child? Tap the link in our bio! ✨️ #PhillyYouth #PhillyEducation #PhillyEvents #PhillyKids #PhillyNonprofit #YouthEmpowerment #YouthPrograms #SummerCamp #PhillyCommunity #phillyfamilies taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @iamyouthproject

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2 years ago

One of the most meaningful parts of our Saturday mornings was our pledge.

The words and movement were developed by Freedom Theatre, Pennsylvania's oldest Black performing arts institution that spent decades helping young people find their voice, confidence, and purpose.

At YEP, we were honored to continue that tradition by introducing these affirmations to our students each week.

Watching them recite these words with conviction reminded us that empowerment starts with what children believe about themselves.

As we close out our inaugural summer, we’re giving **@thenewfreedomtheatre ** its flowers for creating something that continues to impact generations of young people. 💐❤️ taken in Greene Street Friends School by @iamyouthproject

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2 months ago

Roots & Rise 🌱

This week at YEP, we turned the focus inward: Who are you? Where do you come from? And how can knowing those things shape where you’re going?

Led by Ms. Zea, our students explored culture, heritage, identity and leadership—the pieces of our stories that help ground us as we grow. Because strong roots matter. They give our dreams somewhere to grow from.

We also talked about what leadership looks like beyond individual success. As we rise, we lift. Our gifts, access and accomplishments become even more meaningful when we use them to create opportunities for someone coming behind us.

And then we took representation one step further.

Instead of only showing our students examples of who they could become, we gave them an opportunity to see THEMSELVES in the future. Each student imagined the life they hope to build, and with the help of AI, we brought those visions to life—from future chefs and veterinarians to scientists, entrepreneurs and more. Watching them see themselves reflected back as the adults they dream of becoming was something special. 🥹

That’s what Roots & Rise was really about: knowing what grounds you, believing in what’s possible for you, and remembering to bring somebody with you when you get there.

Thank you, @meaux_zea for sharing your Saturday, your story and your leadership with our students. 💚

Strong roots. Big dreams. And plenty of room for all of us to rise. 🌱

#IAMYEP #RootsAndRise #YouthEmpowerment #RepresentationMatters #PhiladelphiaYouth taken in Greene Street Friends School by @iamyouthproject

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2 months ago

🌻 Radical Joy: Joy as Resistance

This week at YEP, our students explored a powerful idea: joy isn't just a feeling—it's a practice.

For young people, joy can feel easy to access. It's found in laughter, movement, creativity, friendship, and imagination. But as they grow older, they'll begin to understand that the world isn't always fair and that not everyone is afforded the same opportunities to experience joy.

That's why we start now. 🌱

We want our students to know that joy is more than a reaction to good circumstances. It can be a choice, a tool, a form of self-preservation, and sometimes even a way of pushing back against systems that would have them believe they are less than.

The day began, as it often does, with students reciting the Freedom Theatre pledge—a powerful declaration of self-worth, responsibility, and possibility. Week after week, we're watching these words take root as students begin to see themselves not only as they are, but as who they can become.

Through creative movement, self-expression, and thoughtful discussion, students spent the day exploring what brings them joy and how they can intentionally create more of it in their lives.

A special thank you to **Ms. Leah** —fellow Freedom Theatre alumna, distinguished principal, educator, and advocate—for spending part of her Saturday pouring into our students and leading this important conversation.

Ms. Leah, thank you for helping create a space where this kind of learning, reflection, and community can flourish.

The lesson wasn't simply to be happy.

The lesson was to remember that joy is worth protecting. 💛

#IAMYEP #JoyIsResistance #YouthDevelopment #BlackJoy #PhiladelphiaYouth 🌻✨💛🌱 taken in Greene Street Friends School by @iamyouthproject

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2 months ago

🌱 Wellness & Emotional Intelligence: Know Yourself. Grow Yourself.

At YEP, we believe learning extends far beyond academics.

This week, our students explored wellness through movement, mindfulness, nutrition, self-awareness, and hands-on learning. Under the guidance of @pilatesoulsista and @greengrocercee, they were encouraged to think about how they care for their bodies, their minds, and ultimately their future selves.

One of the most rewarding moments came after the lesson ended.

During free play, students began identifying fruits and vegetables growing throughout the grounds at our partner site, @greenestreetfriends. What started as a lesson inside the classroom suddenly became something they could see, touch, and connect to in real life.

That's the goal.

Not just exposure.
Not just activities.
But meaningful experiences that help young people build confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

And if you've spent any time around our students lately, you've probably heard their new favorite word, "empathy". 💚😇

Thank you to Ms. Shanté and Ms. Celeste for spending part of your Saturday pouring into our students.

The village matters. 🌱✨

#IAMYouthEmpowermentProject #YEP #YouthDevelopment #SocialEmotionalLearning #CommunityPartnership taken in Greene Street Friends School by @iamyouthproject

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3 months ago

🌱 Radical joy in its purest form.

The laughter. The friendships. The silly moments. The confidence. The sense of belonging.

While we're teaching leadership, financial literacy, STEM, wellness, and service, we're also creating space for our students to simply be kids—to explore, connect, grow, and experience the kind of joy that helps young people thrive.

These pictures remind us that learning doesn't only happen during lessons. Sometimes it happens in the conversations between activities, the shared laughter, and the friendships being built along the way.

Our hearts are full. 💚✨

#IAMYEP #RadicalJoy #YouthEmpowerment #SummerEnrichment #GermantownPhilly 🌱❤️📸 taken in Greene Street Friends School by @iamyouthproject

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3 months ago

🌱 Curiosity in action.

This week, our students stepped into the role of engineers—exploring structures, stability, and buoyancy while learning about Civil, Marine, and Chemical Engineering through hands-on challenges and experiments.

From building and testing to problem-solving and teamwork, our young innovators discovered that engineering is all around us—and that every great solution starts with a question.

A special thank you to Mr. Graham, a Temple University Engineering student, for leading such an engaging session and inspiring our students to think critically, create boldly, and explore new possibilities. ✨

The future is in good hands. 💚

#IAMYEP #FutureEngineers #Germantown #STEMPhilly#YouthEmpowerment 🌱🚀⚙️🌊🏗️🧪 taken in Greene Street Friends School by @iamyouthproject

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3 months ago

🌱❤️ Empathy Through Action

Our first Saturday together was all about learning what it means to care for others and put kindness into practice.

Through conversation, teamwork, and hands-on service, our students explored how small acts can make a big impact. They worked together to create kindness kits while learning that leadership begins with empathy.

A special thank you to **Ms. Bloom** for leading such a thoughtful and engaging session and helping our students see the power of compassion in action. ✨

Here's to a summer of learning, growing, and becoming the kind of leaders our communities need. 💚

#IAMYEP #EmpathyThroughAction #YouthEmpowerment #FutureLeaders #GermantownPhilly 🌱✨ taken in Greene Street Friends School by @iamyouthproject

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3 months ago

A supportive enrichment program fostering fun, learning, culture, STEM, and emotional growth.

Interested in learning more about our six-week summer program? Ready to empower your child? Tap the link in our bio! ✨️ taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @iamyouthproject

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2 years ago