Young People's Caucus
We envision a future where all young people in Maine experience a fair, equitable, and responsive system of care that provides opportunities to help them have autonomy and power in decisions that impact their futures, so they may find wellness, experience success, feel a sense of belonging, and thrive in adulthood. In this work, we value mutual understanding and respect, active listening, curiosity, inclusion, collaboration, and empowering those most impacted by the issues.
Be a Catalyst for Transformation
Are you a young person who has been impacted by the justice system, the foster care system, or other system of oppression? We want you to join us in building community, connecting with peers, and using your voice for systems change in Maine.
What We Do
The Young People’s Caucus (YPC) builds pathways for young people who have been directly impacted by systems involvement and systemic oppression to have a genuine voice and power in decision-making in Maine. We create opportunities and connect young people, agency partners, and policy makers to work together to create public systems that support and empower all young people, with a focus on youth who have experienced the juvenile justice, foster care systems, and the immigration system.
To achieve this mission, YPC develops pathways and programs to engage young people and adult leaders in this work. We do this by:
Fostering a positive community where young people can build relationships with peers and adult mentors, strengthening their sense of belonging and creating opportunities that affirm, uplift, and empower those impacted by public systems.
Creating pathways for young people to learn, gain experience, and have a genuine voice, power, and influence in state and local decision-making processes.
Bringing adult leaders into conversation with young people who have lived experience in juvenile justice, child welfare, and other public systems—cultivating opportunities for shared learning and mutual growth.
Advancing policies that are grounded in the wisdom and insight of young people with lived experience.
Our Current Programs
YPC Justice Network
The YPC Justice Network is a growing community of young people impacted by the criminal legal system and caring and allied adults. Through weekly community Zoom sessions, educational opportunities, and advocacy events, we co-create supportive spaces for young people (ages 14-26) to care for one another, share their living expertise, develop leadership skills, and advocate for systems change. Participating youth are compensated for their time and contributions.
YPC Media Team
The YPC Media Team brings together young people affected by systemic barriers who are interested in developing systems change-focused media skills like storytelling, interviewing, and visual content creation. We create opportunities for co-learning that promote accessible information and belonging and tap into community events with partners to empower youth through media, research, policy, and cultural exploration.
Transforming Systems Training
Under the Transforming Systems Training Program, YPC staff collaborate with community partners to offer learning opportunities for both youth and adults. We offer workshops and events designed to equip youth with the knowledge and connections needed to transform the public systems meant to support them. Participants engage in activities such as networking, legislative processes, root cause analysis, and creative problem-solving to drive meaningful change.
Meet Our Staff
Empowering Young Voices
At the Young People’s Caucus, we offer a variety of programs designed to empower and uplift young individuals who have been impacted by systemic challenges. Our initiatives provide a platform for youth to engage, learn, and lead in their communities. Meet the staff that work hard to make this happen!
Voices of Youth Leaders
Working with Media Team is building connection and friendship between the team. Getting new information every day and knowledge from different research you do as a team.
Joining the YPC Media Team when it started was one of the best things I’ve done. Being on this team has given me more access to not only resources to create change but also connections to people who care about change and work to impact it!
Even with everything going on in my life, doing this work feels like my safe space and makes me feel better as a human being doing this work with a great group of people.
Working with YPC has been amazing. I’ve been able to grow my skills in leadership and facilitation as well as build meaningful connections with people who also want to do the real work. It’s given me the chance to be part of the change I wanted to see as a young person and to be a voice in that movement.
Contact Us!
Want to learn more about our work or want to get involved?
Email us at [email protected].
Labor and Land Acknowledgement
YPC operates on the unceded territories of the Tribes who comprise the Wabanaki Confederacy—Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Mi’kmaq people. The staff members of YPC recognize and honor those who have been stewards of this land now called Maine throughout the generations. We acknowledge that the land we live and work on today is the original homeland of indigenous peoples who have experienced genocide and forced removal. We respect the traditional values of these Tribes and affirm their inherent sovereignty in this territory. We support their efforts for cultural healing and restoration. Please consider learning more and supporting the work of our Wabanaki friends through Wabanaki REACH.