Arden Reynolds’ Story of: “The Youth Social Change Fellowship”:
A college student who is changing education
Arden Reynolds’ Story of: “The Youth Social Change Fellowship”:
Cause: teaching the youth how to build a toolkit for social justice.
Avenues used: Education.
Methods used: Collaboration, reflection,
A few days ago was national women’s day. I believe that we should celebrate women every day, and so on this day, I would like to celebrate a woman I look up to. I have never met Arden in person, but I feel her immense passion for education in working with her on Zoom. She carries her energy and enthusiasm with her that I feed off of. Arden is a student at Brown University and studies English and Education. From living abroad, she traveled the world and gained perspective, cultural appreciation, and friendships that will last a lifetime. Arden’s parents dedicated their careers to social work, and during her childhood, they lived abroad in Southern Africa and Southeast Asia. The international school in Myanmar had a profound impact on Arden. She has always wanted to be a teacher throughout her childhood, and being surrounded by so many incredible teachers truly shaped her.
Arden is deeply invested in reshaping education for the next generation. She said that “traditional education left her feeling that she did not have power as a young person.” Because of her parent’s work and her life experiences, Arden was invested in making positive change in the world, but felt like she didn’t know how to. And yet, she said, “it is not our age that prevents us from participating in activism work; it is traditional education that holds us back.” You need tools to break apart systemic problems. You must build a tool kit for making change. Arden only started to discover the tools available at her disposal when she took a class at Brown, and also from teaching the curriculum of Breakthrough Providence. She took all of this knowledge and wanted to contribute her part to shaping the next generation. Arden is set on teaching young people about the tools they will need to change the world, confront injustice and become active citizens in our democracy.
She is taking a gap year to invest in this, working on “The Youth Social Change Fellowship.”
The Youth Social Change Fellowship is a 12-week course in which a specific age group works together to learn about the foundations of becoming an activist. During this course, youth partake in enriching discussions, learn the fundamental methods for social change, and craft a personal change-making project that sparks engagement in the community. Arden mentioned that she “designed this curriculum for her younger self.” She asked, “What would I have wanted to learn so that I felt prepared for activism work?”
As a part of her facilitating team, I know firsthand how hard Arden works to ensure that her vision is reached within the program. We are consistently looking towards the future to see how we can significantly impact youth. Last month, the YSCF team held a three-day online workshop for the International School of Yangon, the school Arden went to in Myanmar. We delved into identity, privilege, positionality, and collective liberation. These opportunities will last a lifetime and build upon all of the students involved tool kits.
Arden has done so much work, not only in her community but in our world. I admire her sense of action and motivation. She takes her passion for teaching and experiences from being a student in the classroom to sculpt a new teaching style that focuses more on collaboration and collective liberation.
I would recommend this opportunity for all young people (5-18 years old) interested in activism. Students can take the course or work for the organization. For more information about how to get involved, please check out their website.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “Democracy is not a state, it is an act.”
In the United States, we are all living under the same umbrella. This umbrella of democracy can either break us or make us. We all have a moral obligation to fight for what is right. What will your part be?
As a side note for the readers:
I sincerely appreciate your commitment to reading my work. It means a lot that you are a part of this journey. I would love to have more readers, so please share Ordinary With Extraordinary with anyone you think would enjoy my writing.
Have a great day,
Ruby
I enjoyed learning about the work of YCSF and about Arden’s vision, and your involvement in sharing tools for activism and collective liberation. So cool!
Love your stories, Dear Ruby - you are truly a change-maker and an inspiration to your readers.