Council member Althea Stevens hosts annual youth summit near Yankee Stadium

Council member Althea Stevens hosted an annual youth summit near Yankee Stadium to connect young people with mentorship, services and one-on-one access to elected officials, she and organizers said.

“This is a way to keep reminding them that I really mean what I say,” Stevens said, describing efforts to be available to young people beyond graduations and formal presentations. “We wanna have young people involved in government and for them to have access to me.”

Organizers and the reporter covering the event said the summit was held in partnership with Aim High, an organization focused on mentorship, education and support, and that several community organizations tabled to connect attendees with local programs and services for youth and families. A meeting participant described programs serving 13- to 21-year-olds that offer workshops, one-on-one support for coping with stress and anxiety and incentives given after workshops.

“Young people are dealing with going through various situations in their life, but we try to show them that your situation is transportation to a higher destination,” a meeting participant said, adding that supports can help young people reach higher levels.

Community leaders at the summit emphasized listening to young people. “If we make it a priority to listen to them, to engage their voice, to treat them as partners, then we’re really gonna understand how to do that work better,” the reporter summarized from organizers’ remarks.

Organizers described the summit’s goal as simple: make sure every young person knows they have a place and a voice in their community. Reporting for BronxNet: Ashley De Leon.